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Connor Archer is the founder and chairman/CEO of The Courageous Steps Project, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving children and young adults with varying abilities and challenges in Maine. At the age of 3, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which he still lives with today. He is a 2023 inductee into the Husson University Alumni Hall of Fame.
I’ve tried to stay very quiet over everything in the world, but last week made it hard to do that. I’m weighing in here after watching and hearing last Wednesday’s developments following the release of a new federal report that showed an increase in the prevalence of Autism in the U.S.
During his first press conference as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr. said that kids with Autism will never pay taxes.
In fact, many adults with Autism (including myself), pay our fair share of taxes (local, state, and federal).
He said in the same press conference that they’ll never hold a job.
Many, including myself, have successful jobs (and careers) and are contributing to our world and communities in a positive way. I’ve held many, including running businesses and organizations.
Kennedy also said in that press conference that they’ll never play baseball.
While I did not play baseball, I ran track and was a pretty good runner. That was because I had coaches that believed in me being a good distance runner. Those were some of the best years.
Finally, he said that those living with Autism will never go on dates.
Many, including myself, have gone on dates. Do I still struggle in social situations? Yes. Has it been hard to navigate that going into adulthood? Absolutely. Have I made my fair share of mistakes in the past? For sure, haven’t we all at some point? I’ve never been an outgoing person personally. I’d rather stay in for a quiet night sitting by the fire with drinks than attending a big concert (thankful to have summer concerts close to home where I can listen to the concert in front of a nice summer fire).
But like all of us, we are a work in progress. That does not make us sick. It makes us human.
Kennedy later clarified his position saying that many individuals on the spectrum can do the above and that he was referring to more severe individuals in the spectrum. While I appreciate him clarifying his comments, this should’ve been avoided.
The fact that this all was even said (and I heard it being said) is insulting to me and the other children and adults who are living with Autism each and everyday. For many, Autism is tough to navigate at first. But that is why I do what I do — to help families and adults navigate the ups
and downs. This only reaffirms my long-time belief that early intervention is essential for all children starting at birth, and while we are offering more services than ever in Maine and making strong efforts on that front, we have much more work to do.
Autism is a big spectrum with lower and upper levels of functioning. When I was first diagnosed, I was low-functioning (severe), meaning that I was non-verbal and needed hours of intervention and services ranging from speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, specially designed instruction, and behavioral support.
Without that wrap-around service approach in an inclusive community-based setting, I would not be doing what I am doing today, and because of that, I am a high-functioning individual on the spectrum. I own my own home, have a side consulting business. I launched an organization 10 years ago in high school, and have traveled the country advising and consulting on important work.
I was very fortunate. Some aren’t. That’s why I continue to fight everyday for those families who need my help more than ever.
Autism for me is a superpower. It is for so many. I am a believer that every child and every individual has a superpower, and I see that everyday. I observe and see things in different ways. I’ve trained myself to pivot and adapt based on what is in front of me whether it’s adjusting a speaking engagement or solving a problem in a certain way. That took years and years of practice and hard work.
Are there certain cues (socially) I don’t pick up on right away? Sure. Do I still struggle in certain situations? Absolutely. Do I make my fair share of mistakes? Quite often. Do I still struggle to “let things go”? Yes, and it has been that way since I was a child (I don’t see that changing). But we all have certain flaws.
We are not perfect. It does not make us sick. It makes us human and authentic.
Words (and actions) have consequences. Yes, the number of those living with autism went from 1 in 36 to 1 in 31, according to a new DHHS report. I get that. I believe it is attributed to better diagnosing at a younger age, and more awareness by professionals and our society (and we still have a ways to go). If there is something new that arises out of this effort that is backed by quantitative and qualitative research, then I will listen with open ears.
Until then, let’s continue the work that is needed for our children and families and not make it sound like it’s an epidemic, because it’s not.
