Reaction was swift when U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made stark and controversial claims about life for autistic children while unveiling a sweeping federal study. But AP health policy reporter Amanda Seitz noticed one important perspective missing from much of the coverage—people actually living with autism or caring for someone who does.
To change that, Seitz set out to report a story centered on the lived experiences of families, showing how they interpreted Kennedy’s comments and how autism shapes their everyday lives. Working with the U.S. News team, she connected with families who were willing to be interviewed and photographed.
In San Antonio, photographer Eric Gay spent a day with a mother who has autism and her three children, two of whom are also autistic. His photos captured both the challenges and the moments of joy in their lives.
Seitz interviewed families across the country, finding a wide range of reactions to Kennedy’s remarks and proposed study. Some supported his efforts, while others expressed concern or frustration. When sources repeated the long-debunked theory linking vaccines to autism, Seitz provided readers with clear, fact-based reporting while also explaining why those beliefs persist.
Together, Seitz and Gay delivered a nuanced, deeply human story that elevated voices often left out of national conversations—offering readers a fuller understanding of what life with autism really looks like.
Related articles
