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Love on the Spectrum star James B. Jones went to TikTok to speak out against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's “extremely ignorant” and “downright offensive” comments about autism and neurodiversity — ones that Jones says are outdated and regressive.
“I do not at all appreciate Mr. Kennedy speaking of autism or similar forms of neurodiversity in such a negative manner because society has made such great progress in the last 20 to 30 years,” Jones said in his video. “We certainly do not wish to lose that progress that we have made. We do not wish to step backward.”
On April 16, Kennedy responded to a CDC report showing a rise in autism diagnoses by ordering a National Institutes of Health investigation into "environmental exposures" that he believes may contribute to this increase in diagnoses. During the press conference when he announced that directive, Kennedy made several inaccurate claims about autism, particularly about how he thinks it limits people who have it.
"Autism destroys families, and more importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be suffering like this," Kennedy said, according to ABC News. "These are kids who will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted."
Jones refuted these points in his video, noting that he — and many other neurodiverse people — lead pretty typical and very full lives.
“I am now a 37-year-old grown adult. I drive, I have had my driver's license since i was 17. I have a permanent, 40 hour per week job with benefits, which I have held steadily since 2017. I am responsible for all my own expenses,” Jones said, adding that he does still live with his parents due to factors he said are beyond his control. “I believe I am doing quite well. I am a fully functional, productive member of society.”
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On Love on the Spectrum, Jones is one of many cast members who showcases his love journey, taking viewers with him on numerous dates before he ultimately finds a partner (who he says in the video he's still in a relationship with). We see Jones experience a largely relatable series of life events, from a backyard birthday party to speed dating rejection to the at-times awkward early moment of a relationship. In fact, the show's entire premise refutes Kennedy's idea that people with autism will never date — it features nine main cast members who go on numerous dates, often with other neurodiverse people.
While Jones's experience counters the narrative that Kennedy laid out, it must be noted that people who do have higher needs are no less valuable. Everyone — regardless of whether they're neurotypical or neurodiverse, or whether they have a health condition or not — has a set of needs, and depends on other people to help them meet those needs. Some people have more needs than others, and that's part of the normal diversity of human life.
Jones addressed some of his own needs, discussing the difference in his life when they were met and unmet. In grades one through four, Jones said he wasn't able to access the kind of education her required, and it result in a lot of bullying and insults. Once his parents got him into a program for neurodiverse students, he said he no longer had to worry about that kind of treatment, which was “immensely helpful.”
“Being in a special education program helped me develop and grow into the person I am today and I am very grateful for that,” he said. “If I did not have access to such education, who knows where I might be. I very likely would not be where I am today.”
Jones also challenged Kennedy's remarks on why autism diagnoses are increasing, pointing out that more awareness around autism is likely why more people are being diagnosed.
“[Kennedy] may have implied that autism is a plague upon society, he may have even called it a pandemic. He commented on how more people are being diagnosed with autism in recent years compared to decades past,” Jones said. “That is because society now has a greater understanding of autism. People who have autism are now not afraid, or less afraid, to hide it.”
Jones isn't the only Love on the Spectrum star to speak out against Kennedy's remarks. Dani Bowman spoke to NewsNation, saying that “autistic people have the same hopes, dreams and yes, the same awkward dating moments as anyone else.”
“To generalize and say none of us can work, date or contribute to society, is completely false. I have a job. I do pay taxes. I’ve dated I have a master’s degree,” she continued.
