President Donald Trump’s recent claim that the Amish community experiences little to no autism has drawn pushback from experts who have studied the group for decades. Researchers working closely with the Amish in Lancaster County say the neurological disorder does exist in their population, though reliable prevalence data is limited.
The misconception that autism is rare or absent among the Amish has circulated for years, often tied to broader debates about vaccines and medication. In reality, Amish families do seek medical care, use common medications such as Tylenol, and vaccinate at varying rates. Experts note that autism may be underdiagnosed within the community due to cultural norms, limited access to healthcare, and the tendency to handle health concerns internally unless they become urgent.
One of the few systematic assessments came from a 2010 study screening nearly 1,900 Amish children in Ohio and Indiana. It found an autism rate of about 1 in 271 children, lower than the national estimate at the time of 1 in 91. Researchers cautioned, however, that cultural differences in how caregivers answered questions may have affected results, making comparisons with the general population unreliable.
Genetics also plays a role. The Amish, who descend from a small number of settlers, have higher rates of rare inherited conditions. Past research has identified genetic links between autism and epilepsy in Amish children, reinforcing that the community is not exempt from developmental disorders.
While the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster primarily treats genetic illnesses unique to the Amish and Mennonite populations, anecdotal evidence supports the presence of autism. Parents have written about their children’s experiences in Amish publications, and local scholars say autism is acknowledged within the community, even if it is less frequently diagnosed by outside professionals.
Source: Phila. Inquirer