LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — In April, Kennedy referred to autism as a “preventable disease” and claimed environmental factors, rather than genetic predispositions, are the primary cause. He also announced plans for a federal study to examine these environmental links, despite a lack of credible scientific evidence supporting the claim.

“They are increasing because this epidemic denial has become a feature in the mainstream media and it’s based on an industry canard, obviously there are people who don’t want us to look at environmental exposures,” says RFK Jr.

He has recently been vocal about rising autism rates, and has once again drawn attention, this time for attributing the trend to vaccines. He has pledged to provide clearer answers based on research by the fall.

“A massive testing and research effort that’s going to involve hundreds of scientists from around the world by September we will know what has cause the autism epidemic and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures,” says RFK Jr.

A recent report from the CDC found one in 31 children under the age of eight were identified as being on the autism spectrum in 2022, up from one in 36 in 2020.

Little Rock pediatrician Dr. Chad Rodgers says we’re likely seeing this increase as a result of a combination of factors.

“You know a lot of times when people think about autism, they think of someone who is severely impaired,” says Dr. Rodgers. “Because there’s actually a lot of people out there with autism who are just you know living their everyday lives that you’re unaware that they have the diagnosis of autism.”

Dr. Rodgers says families raising children with autism navigate a journey that is often complicated by limited resources.

Representative Denise Ennett, whose child has autism says it’s like piecing together a puzzle without the picture on the box, a nonstop cycle of research, calling clinics and asking questions, all to give her child a fair shot.

“To all my parents that have children with disabilities, the greatest joy is seeing your child overcome those challenges that society has set for them,” says Ennett.

Health officials still urge the public to consult trusted resources and to be cautious of misinformation.