Jack Pitney
@jpitney.bsky.social
Professor of government, Claremont McKenna College.
Another arsonist goes to the firehouse: a "vaccine skeptic" will effectively run CDC. Contrary to the lies that Trump and RFK Jr. have told, vaccines don't cause autism. Vaccinate your kids. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/anti...
Antivaxxer Gets CDC Post
In The Politics of Autism , I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism . This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing dise...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Another arsonist goes to the firehouse: a "vaccine skeptic" will effectively run CDC. Contrary to the lies that Trump and RFK Jr. have told, vaccines don't cause autism. Vaccinate your kids. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/anti...
RFK Jr clings to the myth that vaccines cause autism. As GK Chesterton wrote of the madman: "He is in the clean and well-lit prison of one idea: he is sharpened to one painful point." The pain will fall on children suffering from measles and pertussis. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/kenn...
Kennedy"s Argumentum Ad Ignoratium
In The Politics of Autism , I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism . This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing dise...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
RFK Jr clings to the myth that vaccines cause autism. As GK Chesterton wrote of the madman: "He is in the clean and well-lit prison of one idea: he is sharpened to one painful point." The pain will fall on children suffering from measles and pertussis. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/kenn...
The Trump administration would shift enforcement of special education law to HHS. That move would be a disaster for students with autism and other disabilities. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/movi...
Moving IDEA Out of the Education Department Would Harm Kids with Disabilities
In The Politics of Autism , I write about social services , special education, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act . ...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The Trump administration would shift enforcement of special education law to HHS. That move would be a disaster for students with autism and other disabilities. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/movi...
RFK Jr admits it: he ordered CDC to ditch its position that vaccines don't cause autism. He is discouraging parents from vaccinating their kids. His legacy will be a trail of child-sized coffins. t.co/Gp8abe6uyj
http://www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/rfk-jr-admits-he-ordered-cdc-to-change.html
t.co
November 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
RFK Jr admits it: he ordered CDC to ditch its position that vaccines don't cause autism. He is discouraging parents from vaccinating their kids. His legacy will be a trail of child-sized coffins. t.co/Gp8abe6uyj
RFK Jr admits it: he ordered CDC to ditch its position that vaccines don't cause autism. He is discouraging parents from vaccinating their kids. His legacy will be a trail of child-sized coffins. t.co/Gp8abe6uyj
http://www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/rfk-jr-admits-he-ordered-cdc-to-change.html
t.co
November 22, 2025 at 1:18 PM
RFK Jr admits it: he ordered CDC to ditch its position that vaccines don't cause autism. He is discouraging parents from vaccinating their kids. His legacy will be a trail of child-sized coffins. t.co/Gp8abe6uyj
Under RFK, the CDC is now posting dangerous lies about vaccines and autism. Organizations ranging from Autism Speaks to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network are pushing back. Good. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/auti...
Autism and Health Organizations Denounce the Lies on the CDC Website
In The Politics of Autism , I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism . This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing dise...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Under RFK, the CDC is now posting dangerous lies about vaccines and autism. Organizations ranging from Autism Speaks to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network are pushing back. Good. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/auti...
Under RFK Jr., the CDC website is now lying about the discredited link between vaccines and autism. Because he is effectively promoting vaccine refusal, kids will die. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/cdc-...
CDC Website Now Includes Lies About Vaccines
In The Politics of Autism , I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism . This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing dise...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Under RFK Jr., the CDC website is now lying about the discredited link between vaccines and autism. Because he is effectively promoting vaccine refusal, kids will die. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/cdc-...
Gutting the Education Dept's Office for Civil Rights will worsen inequality. Only parents who can afford private lawyers will be able to protect their kids' rights. Autistic students from more modest backgrounds will suffer. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/gutt...
Gutting OCR Will Worsen Inequality
In The Politics of Autism , I write about social services , special education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act . ...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Gutting the Education Dept's Office for Civil Rights will worsen inequality. Only parents who can afford private lawyers will be able to protect their kids' rights. Autistic students from more modest backgrounds will suffer. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/gutt...
Report: Teachers are increasingly using AI to develop individualized education plans for students with disabilities such as autism. There are advantages, but also numerous potential drawbacks. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/ai-a...
AI and IEP
In The Politics of Autism , I write about social services , special education, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act . ...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Report: Teachers are increasingly using AI to develop individualized education plans for students with disabilities such as autism. There are advantages, but also numerous potential drawbacks. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/ai-a...
California's Early Start program is at risk, and services for autistic children are in jeopardy. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/earl...
Early Start in Jeopardy
In The Politics of Autism , I discuss services for people with disabilities . Kelly Keck at CalMatter s: This summer, Congress passed th...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:11 PM
California's Early Start program is at risk, and services for autistic children are in jeopardy. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/earl...
RFK Jr has pushed the lie that the measles vaccine causes autism. Last year, the US had 285 measles cases. So far this year, it has had 1,723. Heckuva job, Bobby. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/meas...
Measles November
In The Politics of Autism , I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism . This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing dise...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:02 PM
RFK Jr has pushed the lie that the measles vaccine causes autism. Last year, the US had 285 measles cases. So far this year, it has had 1,723. Heckuva job, Bobby. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/meas...
There is a tight connection between right-wing conspiracy theorists and the anti-vaccine movement. Can't say it too often: vaccines don't cause autism. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/chil...
Children's Health Defense's Wacko Conference
In The Politics of Autism , I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism . This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing dise...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:01 PM
There is a tight connection between right-wing conspiracy theorists and the anti-vaccine movement. Can't say it too often: vaccines don't cause autism. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/chil...
The budget deal brought back some special education staffers -- for now. But Trump's attack on special ed is likely to continue. He despises people with disabilities such as autism. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/some...
Some Education Staffers Are Back. Don't Get Your Hopes Up.
In The Politics of Autism , I discuss the issue's role in presidential politics. Many posts have discussed Trump's bad record on dis...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The budget deal brought back some special education staffers -- for now. But Trump's attack on special ed is likely to continue. He despises people with disabilities such as autism. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/some...
Bad news for students in special education, including autistic kids. The acting "watchdog" at the Education Department is a Trumpist who reposted a fawning social media message about Trump, Musk, and RFK Jr. Don't expect him to defend IDEA enforcement. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/acti...
Acting IG at Education
In The Politics of Autism , I discuss the issue's role in presidential politics. Many posts have discussed Trump's bad record on di...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Bad news for students in special education, including autistic kids. The acting "watchdog" at the Education Department is a Trumpist who reposted a fawning social media message about Trump, Musk, and RFK Jr. Don't expect him to defend IDEA enforcement. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/acti...
Trump and RFK Jr floated the idea that vaccines cause autism. A new lit review undercuts it. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/lit-...
Lit Review Undercut Tylenol Accusation
A number o f posts discussed Trump 's support for discredited notion s about autism T he Sept 22 White House news conference w...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Trump and RFK Jr floated the idea that vaccines cause autism. A new lit review undercuts it. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/lit-...
To paraphrase the late, great Roman Hruska: "There are a lot of unprincipled schemers who will sell out anybody and anything to get ahead. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance?" www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Stefanik’s run for New York governor could be a gift to Democrats
Stefanik’s Trump support will be easy fodder for Gov. Kathy Hochul and down-ballot House candidates.
www.politico.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:06 PM
To paraphrase the late, great Roman Hruska: "There are a lot of unprincipled schemers who will sell out anybody and anything to get ahead. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they, and a little chance?" www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Study: advocacy programs for Latino families can help them get autism services for their children as they age out of school-based programs. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/advo...
Advocacy Programs for Latino Families
In The Politics of Autism , I write about the experiences of different economic , ethnic and racial groups . Inequality is a b...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Study: advocacy programs for Latino families can help them get autism services for their children as they age out of school-based programs. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/advo...
Good news & bad news from the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
Good news: most Americans know that vaccines don't cause autism.
Bad news: that majority has been shrinking.
www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/vacc...
Good news: most Americans know that vaccines don't cause autism.
Bad news: that majority has been shrinking.
www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/vacc...
Vaccines, Autism, and Public Knowledge
In The Politics of Autism , I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism . This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing dise...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Good news & bad news from the Annenberg Public Policy Center.
Good news: most Americans know that vaccines don't cause autism.
Bad news: that majority has been shrinking.
www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/vacc...
Good news: most Americans know that vaccines don't cause autism.
Bad news: that majority has been shrinking.
www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/vacc...
Report from Center for American Progress: staff cuts in the Education Department's civil rights office could slow down cases that already can last for years. And in K-12 special ed, services delayed are services denied. Autistic kids will suffer. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/gutt...
Gutting Civil Rights Enforcement
Center for American Progress: In The Politics of Autism , I discuss the issue's role in presidential politics. Many posts have discus...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Report from Center for American Progress: staff cuts in the Education Department's civil rights office could slow down cases that already can last for years. And in K-12 special ed, services delayed are services denied. Autistic kids will suffer. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/gutt...
With the Trump administration effectively shutting down federal oversight, special education is likely to deteriorate. Autistic kids will suffer. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/with...
Without Federal Oversight, Special Education Will Likely Deteriorate
In The Politics of Autism , I discuss the issue's role in presidential politics. Many posts have discussed Trump's bad record on di...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 PM
With the Trump administration effectively shutting down federal oversight, special education is likely to deteriorate. Autistic kids will suffer. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/with...
RFK Jr. has long pushed the lie that measles vaccinations cause autism. The US is about to lose its measles elimination status. Heckuva job, Bobby. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/the-...
The US and Canada Will Likely Lose Measles Elimination Status
In The Politics of Autism , I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism . This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing dise...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:41 PM
RFK Jr. has long pushed the lie that measles vaccinations cause autism. The US is about to lose its measles elimination status. Heckuva job, Bobby. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/the-...
There is a place in Hell for quacks who exploit the desperate parents of autistic children. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/pare...
Parents Are Vulnerable to Autism Quacks
A utism parents are highly vulnerable to pitches for quack "cures." In The Politics of Autism , I write: The conventional wisdom is...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:58 PM
There is a place in Hell for quacks who exploit the desperate parents of autistic children. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/pare...
Maybe leucovorin will ease some symptoms in some autistic kids. But we autism parents remember a long history of "miracle treatments" such as secretin, lupron, and chelation. They have never lived up to their billing and have often proved harmful. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/leuc...
Leucovorin
A number o f posts discussed Trump 's support for dubious notion s about autism . The history of autism "cures" is a history of das...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Maybe leucovorin will ease some symptoms in some autistic kids. But we autism parents remember a long history of "miracle treatments" such as secretin, lupron, and chelation. They have never lived up to their billing and have often proved harmful. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/leuc...
Study: children born to mothers who had COVID-19 while pregnant face an elevated chance of autism. Contrary to RFK Jr's lies, vaccines don't cause autism. And in this case, they might help prevent it. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/covi...
COVID-19 As Risk Factor
In The Politics of Autism , I discuss various ideas about what causes the condition . A release from Mass General Brigham: Children b...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
November 1, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Study: children born to mothers who had COVID-19 while pregnant face an elevated chance of autism. Contrary to RFK Jr's lies, vaccines don't cause autism. And in this case, they might help prevent it. www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/11/covi...
A few days after Trump posted a dire warning about Tylenol and the Texas AG sued its manufacturer, RFK Jr. admitted that the evidence "is not sufficient to say it definitely caused autism." Link in first comment.
www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/10/rfk-...
www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/10/rfk-...
RFK Jr. Walks Back Tylenol Claim
A number o f posts discussed Trump 's support for discredited notion s about autism T he Sept 22 White House news conference w...
www.autismpolicyblog.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:38 PM
A few days after Trump posted a dire warning about Tylenol and the Texas AG sued its manufacturer, RFK Jr. admitted that the evidence "is not sufficient to say it definitely caused autism." Link in first comment.
www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/10/rfk-...
www.autismpolicyblog.com/2025/10/rfk-...