The Real-World Impact of Eliminationist Rhetoric on Autistic People
How political statements about making Autism prevalence "none" are received by Autistic People (as a threat to our existence and community)
“None of Us”: When the Rhetoric of Elimination Targets Autistic People
Donald Trump has said that the prevalence of Autism should be “none“.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has framed Autism as a “horrible crisis” that “destroys families”.
Kennedy has also promised that they “will be able to eliminate those exposures” (referring to what he falsely claims causes Autism).
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While those in power have attempted to frame finding a cause of Autism (and eliminating it) as a public health goal, for many Autistic People, this type of rhetoric is received as a profound existential threat.
This language is part of a broader pattern where top officials have spoken about Autism (falsely) as a “preventable disease”, focusing efforts on finding a “cause“ and Autism as something to eliminate or prevent (rather than focusing on supporting the needs of existing Autistic People).
This rhetoric delegitimizes Autistic existence, fueling stigma and violence against Autistic People, while standing in direct opposition to our community’s ongoing fight for our rights, acceptance, and a livable future.
Why “Prevention” and “Elimination” Rhetoric is Harmful
Almost everyone can agree that preventing suffering is a worthwhile goal (myself included). However, when talking about Autistic People, this goal has been twisted into something unhelpful (and harmful) by our current government officials.
For Autistic People, “preventing suffering” means addressing the real-world challenges we face (like sensory overwhelm, communication barriers, and lack of autonomy, respect, acceptance, and support). However, aiming to eliminate the Autistic neurotype itself is a very different goal (one that suggests our world would be better off without Autistic People in it).
Saying the goal is “none” when discussing Autism prevalence means the complete absence of Autism in our society. This completely ignores the fact that Autism is not a “separate layer” that is “attached” to a non-autistic person, but rather something that is deeply woven into how an Autistic individual thinks, feels, and experiences the world.
You cannot remove Autism from the world without eliminating Autistic People from the world. Therefore, the word “none” ultimately calls for the absence of us, and the extermination of Autistic People (and our neurotype).
A Chilling Historical Echo
This rhetoric of elimination is not a new one. It directly echoes the historical language of eugenics (a movement that specifically targeted disabled people, among others, for institutionalization, forced sterilization, and even extermination).
The core idea remains the same: to create a “better” society by eliminating those deemed biologically “undesirable” or a “burden” on those around us.
The goal of reducing the number of Autistic People to “none” operates on the same dangerous principles, by framing a natural human neurotype as a defect to be eradicated (rather than embracing the diversity of humanity). This eradication language places the value of a life on its perceived utility within capitalistic systems, as well as conformity and assimilation (repeating a dark pattern where the existence of disabled people and those who cannot or will not assimilate into the dominant culture is treated as a problem to be snuffed out).
Note that the language of “elimination” is never used about neurotypical or non-disabled people, but is exclusively directed at marginalized groups, marking us as problems holding the rest of society back.
I’ve written about this in detail in my post titled “I’m Autistic. The Government’s ‘New’ Rhetoric Feels Eerily Familiar. The Chilling Historical Parallel to the Nazi Aktion T4 Program Today’s Anti-Autistic Rhetoric“ (a totally free read if you would like to learn more).
