Why ADHD and Autism Advocates Must Reject the "Make America Healthy Again" Commission
If you’re autistic, ADHD, or love someone who is, this matters. A new government commission is pushing harmful misinformation that could threaten the rights, healthcare, and safety of neurodivergent individuals.
The “Make America Healthy Again” Commission, established by executive order, claims to address public health concerns. But instead of supporting neurodivergent people, it spreads false narratives about autism and ADHD, paving the way for policies that could cut essential services, restrict access to medication, and roll back disability rights.
This is an urgent issue. Here’s what’s at stake.
Why This Matters
Policies like this don’t just exist in isolation—they shape how society views neurodivergent people. Framing autism and ADHD as public health crises rather than natural variations of the human brain reinforces the false and harmful idea that neurodivergence is a problem to be solved.
This kind of rhetoric has led to devastating consequences before. Under the guise of “health reform,” politicians have pushed for Medicaid cuts, reduced disability protections, and promoted pseudoscience that harms autistic and ADHD individuals.
The “Make America Healthy Again” Commission follows the same pattern. If left unchecked, it could strip away the resources, rights, and support systems that neurodivergent people rely on.
What You Need to Know About This Executive Order
This commission is not about helping neurodivergent people—it’s about controlling the conversation and erasing their autonomy.
The Myth of an Autism Epidemic
The commission presents rising autism diagnoses as a crisis. In reality, more people—especially women, people of color, and adults—are finally being diagnosed due to improved awareness.
This kind of fear-mongering fuels dangerous “cures” and leads to policies focused on eliminating autism rather than supporting autistic individuals.
Framing Autism and ADHD as Diseases
Autism and ADHD are not diseases. They are natural variations in how the brain functions—not something to be eradicated.
The real issue isn’t that more people are autistic or ADHD—it’s that society remains inaccessible to them. Instead of investing in support, the commission promotes the false idea that neurodivergent people need to be “fixed.”
Threats to Life-Saving Medications
The executive order questions the use of essential medications for ADHD, depression, and anxiety.
Medications like stimulants and antidepressants aren’t luxuries—they allow millions to function, work, and live fulfilling lives. Restricting access to these treatments would be devastating.
Pseudoscience and Dangerous Policies
The administration has previously supported debunked theories about autism, including the false vaccine-autism link.
This order aligns with past efforts to weaken disability rights, cut Medicaid, and limit access to accommodations that many autistic and ADHD individuals rely on.
What This Means
This isn’t just about language—it’s about real-world consequences. When the government spreads misinformation about autism and ADHD, it leads to policies that:
✅ Reduce access to disability benefits and medical care
✅ Make it harder for neurodivergent people to receive accommodations at work and school
✅ Increase stigma and discrimination
✅ Justify unethical “treatments” aimed at suppressing natural neurodivergent traits
History has shown where this kind of rhetoric leads. The “Make America Healthy Again” Commission echoes historical eugenics ideologies that framed neurodivergent people as burdens to be “fixed” or eliminated.
Similar narratives were used to justify forced sterilizations, institutionalization, and even extermination programs like Aktion T4 under the Nazi regime. In the U.S., over 60,000 disabled people were forcibly sterilized in the 20th century.
When governments portray autism and ADHD as public health threats, it paves the way for policies that strip away rights, limit freedoms, and deny essential care. These warning signs cannot be ignored.
How to Take Action
Push Back Against Misinformation
Challenge false claims that autism or ADHD are epidemics. Share accurate, science-backed information.
Educate others about neurodiversity: Autistic and ADHD individuals don’t need a cure—they need understanding and support.
Contact Lawmakers
Call or email representatives and demand they oppose policies that threaten disability rights.
Support legislation that expands, rather than restricts, access to accommodations and healthcare.
How to Take Action (Even If You Hate Phone Calls) 📞✊
If calling lawmakers feels overwhelming (a very real struggle for many autistic and ADHD individuals), 5 Calls 📞 makes advocacy easier.
✅ It provides scripts so callers don’t have to come up with what to say.
✅ Calls can be made after hours, allowing voicemails to be left instead of speaking with a person.
✅ The site automatically finds representatives based on location and provides their contact info.
Pro Tip: If calling still feels impossible, texting or emailing a representative is also effective! Every action counts.
Script for Calling a Representative About the "Make America Healthy Again" Commission
📞 Use this script when calling or leaving a voicemail for lawmakers!
Hello, my name is [NAME], and I’m a constituent from [City, Zip].
I’m calling to urge [REP/SEN NAME] to oppose the “Make America Healthy Again” Commission and any policies that frame autism and ADHD as public health crises. This rhetoric is dangerous—it echoes harmful eugenics ideologies that historically led to forced sterilizations, institutionalization, and the denial of basic rights for disabled people.
Additionally, I strongly oppose any attempts to cut Medicaid, restrict access to ADHD and mental health medications, or promote pseudoscientific autism research that misrepresents neurodivergence as a disease to be cured rather than a natural part of human diversity.
I ask [REP/SEN NAME] to stand with the disability community by protecting Medicaid, disability rights, and access to life-saving care.
IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: Please ensure my call is counted by noting my full street address: [Your Address]. Thank you.
📢 Pro Tip: Calls can be made after hours to leave a voicemail instead of speaking with a live person!
The Bottom Line
Neurodivergent people don’t need fixing—they need respect, support, and rights. The “Make America Healthy Again” Commission is a direct attack on that, using outdated and harmful rhetoric to justify policies that could harm an entire community.
This is a moment for collective resistance. Speaking up, spreading the truth, and advocating for inclusive policies can prevent history from repeating itself.
Stay Informed & Take Action
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Kristen McClure
Thank you for this! As the mother of two young adults with ADHD/autism.
Thank you for writing and sharing this article. I have a Republican congressman who loves to claim he is pro-life when I write or leave messages for topics such as this, I always weave in, “you call yourself pro-life, so you can’t be for the MAHA commission and see autism and ADHD as diseases to be eliminated, if you pro-life.” He is still a pos so maybe it isn’t working if I can get even one of his staff to ponder how not for life the Republicans are, it is worth it.