RFK Jr advisers release autism research plan criticized for favoring unproven therapies

A 336‑page federal research roadmap prepared by advisers selected by U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked alarm among autism researchers and advocacy groups. The document, intended to guide the allocation of federal dollars for autism studies, proposes increased support for a range of alternative therapies that have not been validated by rigorous clinical trials.

Scientific societies and autism‑community organizations have warned that the plan could shift funding away from established genetic research toward these unproven interventions. Critics cite the risk that resources may be diverted from studies exploring the biological underpinnings of autism, which have shown promise for developing targeted treatments, to therapies lacking empirical support. The concerns were voiced in a joint statement from multiple research institutions and advocacy groups, which called for a review of the roadmap’s funding priorities.

The advisory panel’s recommendations are now under scrutiny as policymakers consider how best to allocate federal research dollars. Stakeholders emphasize the need for evidence‑based funding decisions to ensure that investments advance scientifically robust approaches while safeguarding against the diversion of resources to therapies that have not demonstrated efficacy.