Words Matter: The Danger of Calling Autism a “Tragedy”
Love, not labels: families deserve respect and support
I have been feeling pretty down this week. The hateful language I heard out of people in power hit me harder than I’d like to admit. People who are responsible for making decisions and policies for the autistic population in our country have truly shown their cards—and will continue to in the coming weeks.
When national leaders describe autism as a “tragedy” or a “horror show,” it doesn’t just spark headlines—it causes deep harm to millions of families across the country. Parents of autistic children hear those words and feel an immediate sting, as if their child’s very existence is being labeled as something devastating or shameful. For autistic people themselves, the message is even more painful: that their lives are something to fear rather than something to value.
The language our leaders use matters. When autism is framed in terms of disaster, catastrophe, or despair, it shapes how the public views autistic individuals. It reinforces stigma, discourages inclusion, and makes it harder for families to feel pride in their loved ones’ strengths and potential. Parents already navigate enough challenges—accessing therapy, advocating for education, and planning for their child’s future—without also carrying the burden of hearing their child described as a national calamity.
In these same conversations, political leaders often promise to “find the cause” of autism, as if discovering a single explanation will eliminate the struggles families face. While research is valuable, an overemphasis on searching for a cause overlooks what families need most right now: access to reliable, affordable, and community-based supports.
Families don’t lie awake at night wondering about genetic markers or environmental correlations. They worry about whether their child will receive the therapies they need to thrive, whether their school will have the right accommodations, and whether their adult children will have meaningful opportunities for independence and employment. When leaders focus primarily on “causes,” they risk sidelining the practical supports that directly improve lives today.
What makes this rhetoric especially alarming is that it often coincides with efforts to weaken or eliminate the very supports autistic people and their families depend on. Programs like Medicaid waivers, community-based therapy funding, respite care, and special education protections have provided a lifeline to countless families.
Yet in the same breath that leaders describe autism as a “tragedy,” we see proposals to cut budgets for disability services, narrow eligibility for essential therapies, or reduce federal funding to states. This creates a dangerous contradiction: acknowledging that autism affects millions of Americans, while simultaneously dismantling the safety nets that make life manageable for those families.
Without these supports, families are left isolated, burned out, and unable to meet their children’s needs. And without investments in inclusive education, vocational training, and community living programs, autistic individuals face a lifetime of unnecessary barriers.
Parents of autistic children consistently report how hurtful it is to hear political leaders dismiss their loved ones with demeaning words. Instead of feeling supported by their government, they feel vilified, as if their child is a problem to be solved rather than a person to be celebrated.
This kind of language also trickles down into communities. Teachers may be less patient. Employers may hesitate to hire. Neighbors may misunderstand or avoid a child whose behaviors don’t align with expectations. Words at the top shape attitudes on the ground.
The truth is that autism is not a tragedy. It is a neurodevelopmental difference that presents challenges, yes, but also strengths, talents, and perspectives that enrich our communities. Families of autistic children need leaders who speak with respect and understanding—not fearmongering.
Instead of labeling autism a “horror show,” our administration should:
Invest in evidence-based supports such as applied behavior analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.
Protect Medicaid and disability services that make therapy and healthcare accessible.
Expand educational opportunities that prioritize inclusion and accommodations.
Promote community integration through employment initiatives, housing programs, and respite care for families.
Families don’t need pity. They need resources, respect, and recognition that their children’s lives are valuable.
When our leaders talk about autism, they set the tone for how the nation responds. Calling it a “tragedy” or a “horror show” dismisses the dignity of millions of Americans and undermines the hard work of families and providers who are building supportive, inclusive communities every day.
If we truly care about autistic people and their families, we must reject harmful language and instead double down on strengthening the supports that allow them to thrive. Because the real tragedy isn’t autism itself—it’s when society chooses to turn its back on those who deserve acceptance, opportunity, and care.