Addressing the CDC’s Stance on Vaccines and Autism

As we enter 2026, we reflect back on a year that’s felt harried, emotional, and, at its core absolutely, confounding. 

Confounding because values that we hold dear—that people deserve fair and equitable treatment, that inclusion is a basic human right, and that a commitment to diversity strengthens and fortifies our existence—are now questionable ideals and have even been erased from websites, from our favorite companies and stores, from our national dialogue.

Confounding because of a sweeping and costly effort to arrest, detain, and deport our law-abiding community members and categorize them as dangerous criminals. 

Confounding to us in particular because, throughout this year and within recent weeks, we’ve witnessed a targeted attack on neurodiversity that feels deeply personal and blatantly political, and fuels the dangerous narrative that differences are to be feared and eradicated. 

To note: The language on the CDC website’s page on Autism and Vaccines was modified in November this year, after the bogus claim that Tylenol might “cause” autism was debunked by reputable medical professionals and scientists across the political spectrum.

The change is nuanced but effective, and is summarized in the bullet-point at the top of the webpage: 

“The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.” 

Alright. Deep breath.

Based on the data at hand, which include multiple far-reaching and scientifically sound studies as well as analysis by top medical practitioners, we understand that this IS in fact an evidence-based claim. Studies HAVE ruled out the possibility.

To put it plainly: There are exactly zero conclusive studies that prove a causal link between childhood vaccines and autism. Among so many other well-respected foundations and individuals, the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety at the World Health Organization refutes the CDC’s implication. 

This blatant misinformation follows a year of increased attention on the autism community in the name of “saving families” and “protecting children”—worthy concerns that most people can get behind.

Most of us agree entirely that the well-being of children and humans is paramount to our survival as a species and our happiness overall, except that in the wake of commentary like the above statement, we’ve seen increased vaccine hesitancy that has likely caused a stunning rise in measles cases that, sadly, disproportionately affects children. 

…So we have to ask: what exactly is the priority here? 

Woven into the very fabric of Aspiritech is the understanding that, in order for humans to thrive, they need to first and foremost be accepted for who they are.

Here, we know that most of our world’s agreed-upon rules and mores were established by neurotypical brains without thought to people who might think, feel, or behave differently.

We are well familiar with the all-too-common story of neurodivergent adults being pushed aside and passed over for opportunities, and the oftentimes tragic reality that, because of our world’s willful ignorance and fear of the unknown, they will encounter countless more barriers than their neurotypical peers.

This year we’ve seen an increase in anxiety, depression, and general hopelessness among our team members, spurred on by the aforementioned statement—among so many others—and the normalization of pseudoscience to justify false claims and prejudices.

However, encouraged by the tenacity and strength of our community and in step with our vision, we’re leaning into one of our core values that different neurotypes strengthen our foundation and our world.

We’ve doubled down on our commitment to inclusive practices and accommodations, because we know that they work, and we connect with our employees daily to make sure each person at Aspiritech has the tools they need to make work better and more approachable.

We’ve increased discussion and processing groups and bulked up our Stepping Up & Out offerings, and we are constantly, consistently, working to better our approach.

Rather than trying to invent a new “cause for autism” or elevate heavily problematic studies, we trust the science. We trust ourselves. We trust in the proven process of working with and accommodating our team, and we trust that we will continue to deliver best in class services all while honoring the individual, their story, and their true lived experience.

We will not back down.