(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Some people have to wait years to officially be diagnosed with autism. For Scott Bartlett, that didn’t come until later in his life.

“It wasn’t until 2020 that I actually got a diagnosis of autism, and that changed my life,” Bartlett said.

After Bartlett faced his own struggles, his son was also diagnosed with autism at 19. This led Bartlett to become an advocate for those struggling with autism as a board member for Autism Society of Colorado.

Bartlett is also an advocate for the Center for Independent Living in Colorado Springs, which helps people with disabilities find independence by relying on what they are capable of. It’s also why recent events and conversation surrounding autism have Bartlett concerned.

“Looking at autism as a disease that needs to be stamped out, I think is the wrong attitude,” Bartlett said.

Misinformation has led some to take drastic measures to try and “cure” someone with autism. In recent days, a woman in El Paso County faces felony child abuse charges after using a nicotine patch on a 4-year-old. Arrest papers say the child could not form complete sentences, struggled with behavioral episodes and had the brain development of a 2-year-old.

Each of these are symptoms of autism. Bartlett tells FOX21 News this isn’t the first time he has heard someone try to use nicotine patches to help someone with autism.

“I’ve heard of similar cases where, you know, people are desperate to cure autism,” Bartlett said.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also motivated to find a cure for autism. Kennedy Jr. recently rolled out a plan to find the cause of the development disorder through new research.

“This is a preventable disease, we know it’s an environmental cause and it has to be,” Kennedy Jr. said. “Genes do not cause epidemics.”

But some are concerned about Kennedy’s belief in the theory that vaccines cause autism.

“It is scientifically proven that vaccines do not cause autism,” said Jennifer Korb, the Executive Director of Autism Society of Colorado.

Bartlett is concerned RFK Jr’s comments are bringing back old myths and conversations that could lead to harm in the community.

“I have no issues with the research, and I maybe don’t even have issues with the intent, it’s the attitudes towards this and the motivation saying autism is an epidemic,” Bartlett said.