When Labels Become Cages

Why the push for autism registries could do more harm than good — even if intentions sound noble

In the months following a public promise to investigate the "causes" of autism, the federal administration now appears to be moving forward with discussions and proposals around the creation of an autism registry. On its surface, the idea sounds responsible: gather data, track needs, support families. But scratch the surface, and it becomes clear that the very structure of such a registry risks not only violating privacy but harming the very people it claims to help.