Brittany Cartwright is putting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on blast for his controversial claims about autism — and she’s not holding back.
The Valley star, 36, tore into the 71-year-old Secretary of Health and Human Services on the latest episode of her When Reality Hits podcast, after he made sweeping generalizations about people on the autism spectrum.
Kennedy sparked outrage during a press conference on Wednesday when he announced a new directive to investigate so-called ‘environmental exposures’ that he suggested could be linked to the rise in autism diagnoses. But it was his bleak portrayal of autistic individuals that really set advocates off.
‘They’ll 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,’ Kennedy said.
Now Brittany — who just last week revealed that her and Jax Taylor’s son Cruz was diagnosed with autism last fall — is firing back.
‘He said that autism destroys families,’ she said on the April 18th episode. ‘He listed a bunch of things that kids with autism or people on the spectrum in general do not do. And that really upset me because the autism spectrum is so broad.’
Brittany Cartwright is putting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on blast for his controversial claims about autism — and she’s not holding back; (seen in March)
The Valley star, 36, tore into the 71-year-old Secretary of Health and Human Services on the latest episode of her When Reality Hits podcast , after he made sweeping generalizations about people on the autism spectrum; (Kenndey Jr. on April 18)
She continued, ‘That is not everybody.’
‘That just kind of like rubbed me the wrong way a little bit,’ she added. ‘It kind of made me sad because it’s just such a public platform and misinformation is a big deal.’
Prior to announcing the news, Cartwright explained she and her ex kept their son’s diagnosis to themselves and their closest family and friends for six months.
While telling her loved ones, she said she provided them a written paragraph talking about his diagnosis, what it meant and how they were working on it.
Additionally, she shared with them that she felt ‘meant for this.’
‘Yes, it might be challenging at times, but I couldn’t imagine my life being different,’ Cartwright told People.
‘It can be sad at times because you want them to live life to the fullest, and he does, he just does it in a different way.
‘What I really want people to understand about autism is he sees the world so much more vibrant and amazing than any of us ever will.’
Now Brittany — who just last week revealed that her and Jax Taylor ’s son Cruz (pictured) was diagnosed with autism last fall — is firing back
‘He said that autism destroys families,’ Brittany said on the April 18th episode, adding, ‘He listed a bunch of things that kids with autism or people on the spectrum in general do not do’
‘That just kind of like rubbed me the wrong way a little bit,’ she said, adding, ‘It kind of made me sad because it’s just such a public platform and misinformation is a big deal.’
The Kentucky native added that her son’s diagnosis won’t prevent him from being ‘the smartest in his class’ or working ‘for NASA one day.’
‘There aren’t any limitations to what he can do,’ she declared.
Cartwright’s response echoes the feelings of many in the autism community who say Kennedy’s remarks are hurtful.
Among those clapping back? Survivor standout Eva Erickson, who just this week proved exactly what people with autism are capable of by dominating the Immunity Challenge.
‘I’m Eva from Survivor 48. I have autism. Let me show you how wrong RFK is about what someone with autism can achieve in their life,’ she said in a recent Instagram video.
‘RFK Jr. can kick rocks. I know what I’m capable of. People with autism are stronger than he believes and I’m proud to represent this community.’
She captioned her post, ‘I have autism AND a loving family, successful career, play sports & an amazing boyfriend! How dare RFK Jr tell us what we are capable of.’
