Health · Public Health & Disease · 23 hrs ago
Holly Robinson Peete Condemns RFK Jr.’s Comments About Autism
Holly Robinson Peete criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s comments about autism while hosting a gala for her HollyRod Foundation on November 7.
Kennedy, the U.S. secretary of health and human services, said in April 2025 that autism destroys families and made claims about what autistic children would never be able to do.
Peete, an actor and advocate, said those claims were false and recalled being told similar things after her son RJ was diagnosed with autism as a toddler.
She said her son brought her family purpose and unity, and noted that he pays taxes.
Peete argued that autism does not destroy families; lack of access to health care can cause serious harm, especially for families in Black and brown communities who may struggle to get a diagnosis and support.
She and her husband founded the HollyRod Foundation to raise awareness and provide resources for families affected by autism and Parkinson’s disease.
Peete said she will continue supporting autistic people and their families.
Holly Robinson Peete condemned Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s comments about children with autism.
Kennedy said in April 2025 that autism destroys families and claimed many autistic children would never work, pay taxes or live independently.
Peete said the claims were false and described how a doctor had made similar predictions about her son, RJ, after his diagnosis.
Peete said her son, now 27, did not destroy her family and gave it purpose and unity.
She spoke on November 7 while hosting the HollyRod Foundation’s DesignCare 2026 Gala.
- Who
- Holly Robinson Peete condemned comments by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. secretary of health and human services.
- What
- Peete rejected Kennedy’s claims about autism and the futures of autistic children.
- When
- Kennedy made the comments in April 2025. Peete spoke about them on November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Peete spoke while hosting the HollyRod Foundation’s DesignCare 2026 Gala; the location is not stated.
- Why
- Peete said Kennedy’s claims were false and recalled how similar predictions about her son had affected her.
Holly Robinson Peete
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Autism and families
Holly Robinson Peete
Peete said autism does not destroy families; lack of access to health care can.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy said autism destroys families.
Autistic children’s futures
Holly Robinson Peete
Peete rejected the claim that autistic children would never work, pay taxes or achieve other milestones.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy said many autistic children would never pay taxes, hold a job or reach other milestones.
Peete said her son RJ received an autism diagnosis and a doctor told her he would never reach several milestones.
Kennedy made comments claiming autism destroys families and describing things many autistic children would never do.
Peete spoke out about Kennedy’s comments while hosting the HollyRod Foundation’s DesignCare 2026 Gala.
- Peete’s son
- RJ, 27
- Kennedy’s comments
- April 2025
- Peete’s remarks
- November 7, 2026
- Event
- HollyRod Foundation’s DesignCare 2026 Gala
- Diagnosis
- RJ was diagnosed with autism as a toddler
What people are saying
My 27-year-old son with autism didn’t ‘destroy our family’ — he gave us purpose and unity
Autism does not destroy families. But you know what does? Not having access to health care.
Autism destroys families.