September 27, 2025
Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) issues the following statement in response to recent White House remarks on autism:
“The National Association of Black Counselors affirms the overwhelming body of peer-reviewed research on autism spectrum disorder. Vaccines do not cause autism. This claim has been repeatedly disproven in rigorous scientific studies, and misinformation only diverts attention from the urgent need to expand access to services and evidence-based supports for autistic individuals and their families.
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition. Suggesting causation on the basis of a few isolated studies is misleading and dangerous. This reflects a troubling policy trend of disregarding expert guidance in favor of narrow or incomplete evidence. Such decisions risk deepening harm in Black and other marginalized communities, which already face disproportionate barriers to diagnosis and treatment and have a long history of mistreatment within the U.S. healthcare system.
NABC urges policymakers to ground their decisions in the full breadth of scientific evidence, to prioritize culturally competent care, and to invest in long-term, comprehensive research and resources for autistic individuals and their families.”
National Association of Black Counselors
The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) is a professional association dedicated to supporting Black mental health professionals and advancing the mental health and wellness of Black communities. NABC provides advocacy, education, research, and professional development. For more information, please visit www.nabcounselors.org.
