If I were to tell you a story about a troll feasting on changeling children, you might think I'm trying to justify my folklore degree. However, if I recounted a similar tale about an online troll systematically targeting disabled children, you'd likely conclude that I was discussing the current political climate in the United States. If I were to weave a narrative about a troll, a monstrous being from ancient folklore, ravenously feasting upon changeling children—those unfortunate human infants stolen and replaced by fae creatures—you might understandably surmise that I am merely attempting to rationalize my folklore degree. My discourse, in such a scenario, would be firmly rooted in the fantastical, an exploration of myth and legend.
However, consider an alternative scenario. What if I were to recount a strikingly similar, yet profoundly modern, tale? One that speaks of an online troll, not a creature of the forest, but a malicious individual lurking in the digital shadows, systematically targeting children with disabilities. In this instance, the immediate and stark conclusion you would likely draw is that I am not discussing ancient fables, but rather the grim and often disturbing realities of the current political and social climate within the United States. The shift in context transforms a seemingly whimsical narrative into a biting commentary on contemporary issues, highlighting the pervasive nature of cruelty and prejudicet. The "changeling" in this modern retelling becomes a metaphor for vulnerability and difference, targeted by a new kind of monstrous entity.
When you encounter a non-verbal child displaying repetitive behaviors or other neurodivergent traits today, it’s common to suspect a diagnosis of autism. Conversely, during the Dark Ages, such children were often viewed through a theological lens, leading to supernatural diagnoses and inhumane treatments that could be torturous or even fatal.
When a child today exhibits non-verbal communication, engages in repetitive behaviors, or displays other characteristics often associated with neurodivergence, it is now standard practice to consider a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This modern understanding reflects advancements in psychology, neuroscience, and medical knowledge. However, if we were to look back at the Dark Ages, the interpretation of such children's behaviors was drastically different.
During that period, a profound lack of scientific understanding meant that any deviation from what was considered typical development was almost universally viewed through a theological or superstitious lens. Consequently, children with what we now recognize as neurodevelopmental differences were frequently diagnosed with supernatural afflictions. They might be believed to be "changelings"—fairy children swapped for human babies—or possessed by demons, or even seen as a divine punishment upon their parents.
These supernatural diagnoses led to incredibly inhumane treatments, often rooted in fear, ignorance, and a desperate attempt to "cure" or expel the perceived evil. Such treatments could be torturous, ranging from brutal exorcisms and severe physical abuse aimed at driving out perceived malevolent spirits, to neglect, starvation, or exposure designed to force the "changeling" to return to its own kind. Tragically, these practices frequently proved fatal, illustrating a dark chapter in history where a lack of medical and psychological understanding resulted in profound suffering and injustice for vulnerable children. The stark contrast between these historical views and contemporary diagnostic approaches highlights the immense progress made in our understanding and treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions.
In folklore, a changeling is said to be a child who has been swapped by fairies. While these babies typically appear normal, they might undergo drastic transformations seemingly overnight. Symptoms of being labeled a changeling included sudden non-verbal behavior, inability to maintain eye contact, loss of mobility, and significant changes in appetite—many of which closely resemble the characteristics of autism.In the annals of folklore, the concept of a changeling often emerges as a chilling and mysterious phenomenon. A changeling is traditionally understood to be a child, born human, who has been surreptitiously exchanged by mischievous or malevolent fairies, goblins, or other supernatural entities. This swap typically occurs in the dead of night, often without the human parents' knowledge, leaving them to raise a substitute child who may bear little resemblance, over time, to their original offspring.
While these stolen human babies are often said to be taken to the fae realm, the changeling left behind might initially appear perfectly normal, indistinguishable from a healthy human infant. However, the true nature of the changeling is believed to manifest through a series of unsettling and often drastic transformations, seemingly occurring overnight. These changes were not merely physical but also behavioral and developmental, leading to profound distress and confusion for the human family.
The "symptoms" that led to a child being labeled a changeling were numerous and often deeply troubling to the caregivers. These included a sudden onset of non-verbal behavior, where a previously babbling or speaking child might become inexplicably silent. An inability to maintain eye contact was another frequently cited sign, suggesting a lack of human connection or understanding. Loss of mobility, such as a child who once crawled or walked suddenly becoming unable to do so, was also a source of great concern. Furthermore, significant and often erratic changes in appetite, ranging from a sudden refusal to eat to an insatiable hunger, were observed.
It is particularly poignant to note that many of these characteristics, once attributed to the otherworldly interference of changelings, bear a striking resemblance to the symptoms now recognized in various neurodevelopmental conditions, most notably autism spectrum disorder. The historical interpretations of such behaviors, viewed through a lens of supernatural fear and misunderstanding, highlight the challenges faced by families in past eras who struggled to comprehend and cope with developmental differences in their children. The changeling myth, therefore, serves not only as a fascinating piece of cultural lore but also as a window into historical perceptions of difference and disability.
Historically, changelings were first documented in the thirteenth century, with sightings prevalent in Nordic, Scandinavian, and Celtic stories. In these tales, negligent parents unintentionally leave their children unguarded, allowing fairies to replace them with a changeling.
Historically, the phenomenon of changelings first appeared in documented accounts during the thirteenth century, with their presence particularly noted in the rich tapestries of Nordic, Scandinavian, and Celtic folklore. These ancient tales consistently depict scenarios where parents, often through perceived negligence, inadvertently leave their infant children unattended. It is during these unguarded moments that malevolent or mischievous fairies, trolls, or other supernatural beings seize the opportunity to abduct the human child, replacing them with a changeling – typically an enchanted, often sickly, or ill-tempered substitute from the fae world.
The characteristics of these changelings varied across different cultural narratives but often included a stark physical and behavioral contrast to the original human child. They were frequently described as having an insatiable appetite, a gaunt appearance despite excessive feeding, a disturbing lack of growth or development, and a disposition prone to wailing, fits of rage, or uncanny silence. In some accounts, the changeling might exhibit advanced cognitive abilities or an eerie wisdom beyond its supposed age, further unsettling the human family. The belief in changelings served multiple societal functions, offering explanations for infant mortality, developmental disabilities, or challenging childhood behaviors that were otherwise inexplicable in pre-scientific times. It also acted as a cautionary tale, reinforcing the importance of vigilant parental care and adherence to traditional protective rituals to ward off supernatural interference.
In the current political landscape, it's notable that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has a troubling history; he boasted of using speed and heroin to achieve his Juris Doctorate at the University of Virginia—an institution attended by his father, Robert F. Kennedy. Known predominantly for his anti-vaccination stance, RFK Jr. has attained a reputation as a controversial online health guru and an internet troll targeting vulnerable groups.
In the current political landscape, a significant figure is the Secretary of Health and Human Services, whose past includes a disturbing personal history. He has openly boasted about using illicit substances, specifically speed and heroin, during his pursuit of a Juris Doctorate at the University of Virginia. This institution holds a familial connection, as it was also attended by his father, Robert F. Kennedy.
Beyond his educational background, this individual, widely known as RFK Jr., has cultivated a prominent and often contentious public persona. He is predominantly recognized for his strong anti-vaccination stance, a position that has garnered him a reputation as a controversial online health guru. Through various digital platforms, RFK Jr. has engaged in activities often characterized as those of an internet troll, particularly targeting vulnerable groups with his views and rhetoric. This combination of a problematic personal history and a divisive public presence makes him a notable and often scrutinized figure in contemporary political discourse.
He comes from a family that has been historically nonsupportive of mental health issues. Joe Kennedy, RFK Jr.’s grandfather, had his daughter lobotomised while his wife was away. He didn’t tell his wife until after the procedure was complete. His fear that her mental health would be detrimental to his and his son’s political careers. The procedure left Rosemary physically and mentally disabled.The Kennedy family has a deeply troubled history concerning mental health, often marked by a lack of support and understanding. A particularly stark and tragic example of this is the case of Rosemary Kennedy, daughter of Joe Kennedy Sr. and sister to John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In 1941, when Rosemary was 23 years old, her father, Joe Kennedy Sr., made the unilateral and devastating decision to have her undergo a prefrontal lobotomy. This drastic measure was taken without the knowledge or consent of his wife, Rose Kennedy, who was away at the time. Joe Kennedy Sr. was reportedly driven by his fear that Rosemary's perceived mental health struggles, which included mood swings and some developmental delays, could cast a shadow on the burgeoning political careers of his sons, particularly John F. Kennedy.
The procedure itself, a then-experimental and controversial neurosurgical operation, was intended to alleviate her symptoms. However, the outcome was catastrophic. Instead of improving her condition, the lobotomy left Rosemary permanently and severely physically and mentally disabled. She lost the ability to speak intelligibly and was left with the mental capacity of a two-year-old. She required lifelong institutional care, effectively disappearing from public life. Her mother was only informed of the procedure and its horrific consequences after it was completed. This tragic event highlights a painful chapter in the Kennedy family's history, underscoring a period when mental health issues were often misunderstood, stigmatized, and addressed with extreme and ultimately devastating interventions.
When RFK Jr. ran for president in 2024 he relied on conspiracy theories, influencer tactics, and other online troll behavior to court young disaffected voters. People that spoke out against him were targeted, doxxed, and had their lives turned upside down by his rabid followers. At the end of his run, when he failed to gain enough votes to continue, he offered to throw his support behind the highest bidder. Kamala Harris turned down his offer, but Donald Trump offered him the position in which he currently holds. Trump delivered our children directly to the troll.
In the tumultuous 2024 presidential election, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched a campaign that strategically leveraged the fringes of online discourse. Eschewing traditional political playbooks, he cultivated a devoted following by disseminating conspiracy theories, employing influencer tactics, and mirroring the behavior of online trolls. His approach resonated deeply with a segment of young, disaffected voters who felt alienated by mainstream politics.
However, this strategy came with a dark side. Individuals who dared to challenge Kennedy or his narratives often found themselves targets of his fervent supporters. They faced doxxing—the public release of their private information—and their lives were often upended by the relentless online attacks orchestrated by his rabid followers. The climate around his campaign was one of intense polarization, where dissent was met with vitriol and personal attacks.
As the election cycle progressed, it became evident that Kennedy's unconventional campaign, despite its fervent base, would not garner enough widespread support to secure the presidency. When his bid faltered, he sought to leverage his influence in a different way, offering his endorsement to the highest bidder. This move underscored the transactional nature that characterized parts of his political strategy.
Both major party candidates were presented with the opportunity to court Kennedy's support. Kamala Harris, then a leading contender, ultimately declined his offer, perhaps wary of the controversies and the shadow of conspiracy theories that clung to his campaign. Donald Trump, however, saw an advantage. In a surprising political maneuver, Trump extended an offer to Kennedy, which he accepted. The specifics of the position offered were not immediately clear, but the implication was stark: a figure who had courted controversy and engaged in online troll behavior was now brought into the highest echelons of power.
This alliance sent shockwaves through the political landscape. For many, it symbolized a disturbing trend—the mainstreaming of fringe elements and the delivery of the nation's future, particularly its children and their digital landscape, "directly to the troll." The concern was that the very tactics and ideologies that had defined Kennedy's campaign would now be given a platform and legitimacy, potentially influencing policy and shaping the societal discourse in unforeseen and potentially detrimental ways. The 2024 election, in this sense, became a pivotal moment, illustrating the evolving power of online influence and the complex, often unsettling, pathways to political power in the digital age.
RFK Jr. wasted no time once he was sworn in focusing all his anti-vaxxer venom upon the United States health care systems. His beliefs sway so far from the American Academy of Pediatrics that they have had to push back on most of his rhetoric. Kennedy has referred to autism as a "tragedy" and an "epidemic," claiming it is caused by environmental factors and dismissing increased awareness as a reason for rising diagnoses. This week, he blamed Tylenol for causing autism. He did not mention the fact that the brand name medication was invented fifty years after the first diagnoses of autism, and hundreds of years after the first autistic behaviors were recorded.
Upon being sworn into office, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. immediately focused his anti-vaccine sentiments on the United States healthcare systems. His views diverge significantly from established medical authorities, particularly the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has consistently pushed back against much of his rhetoric. Kennedy has frequently characterized autism as a "tragedy" and an "epidemic," attributing its rise to various environmental factors. He has also consistently dismissed increased awareness and improved diagnostic criteria as significant contributors to the rising rates of autism diagnoses.
This week, Kennedy further inflamed the debate by specifically blaming Tylenol for causing autism. In making this claim, he notably omitted crucial historical context: the brand-name medication Tylenol was first introduced to the market approximately fifty years after the initial diagnoses of autism were recorded. Furthermore, documented behaviors now recognized as characteristic of autism can be found in historical accounts dating back hundreds of years prior to Tylenol's invention. These historical discrepancies directly contradict his assertion of a causal link between the medication and the condition.
As the parent of someone with autism, and as someone that has worked among the autism community for twenty years I see families struggle to process these constant attacks. The early changeling myths often blamed the mother of the child for perceived negligence. RFK Jr. also blamed the mothers for taking Tylenol while pregnant. The theosophical tenant of making the mother the root of all evil as a way to hold women down. Shaming women has always been the backbone of the GOP platform. They have fought against family planning, child care, no fault divorce, and every other step women attempted to take out of the dark ages. Maybe, this was the plan all along. Not to demonize these children, but to keep their boots firmly on the necks of womenkind.
As the parent of an autistic individual and a professional who has dedicated two decades to working within the autism community, I have witnessed firsthand the immense struggles families face in processing the relentless onslaught of criticism and blame. It’s a historical pattern, echoing the archaic “changeling” myths that often placed the burden of perceived negligence squarely on the mother’s shoulders. This ancient narrative, which suggested a mother’s carelessness led to her child being replaced by a fae impostor, finds disturbing parallels in modern discourse.
Consider, for instance, RFK Jr.'s controversial assertion that mothers who took Tylenol during pregnancy are to blame for autism. This statement, whether intentional or not, directly feeds into a deeply ingrained societal tendency to make the mother the scapegoat, a pervasive theme found even in some esoteric or theosophical interpretations that position women as the "root of all evil." Such perspectives serve a dual purpose: to control women and to divert attention from other potential factors or systemic issues.
This pattern of shaming women has, regrettably, been a consistent thread throughout various political platforms, notably in the historical backbone of the GOP. Their sustained opposition to initiatives like family planning, affordable child care, and no-fault divorce laws, as well as every other stride women have attempted to make toward autonomy and equality, reveals a deeply entrenched desire to maintain a patriarchal order. These policies, ostensibly about family values or moral rectitude, effectively keep women tethered to traditional roles and limit their agency.
Perhaps, then, the demonization of these children—those with autism, those who are different—was never the ultimate objective. Instead, it might be a insidious means to an end: a calculated strategy to maintain a firm grip on womankind, ensuring that their boots remain firmly on the necks of women. By burdening mothers with guilt and responsibility for conditions beyond their control, society—or certain elements within it—can perpetuate a cycle of subjugation, hindering women's progress and preserving existing power structures. This narrative, cloaked in concern or scientific speculation, ultimately serves to reinforce outdated, oppressive norms.
In conclusion, as our government becomes more divided and the right wing descends into the dark ages. Their rhetoric against disabled children and their mothers becomes more clearly what it is, a power grab. As an intention to disenfranchise women and the disabled.In conclusion, as our government becomes more divided and the right wing descends into the dark ages, their rhetoric against disabled children and their mothers becomes more clearly what it is: a calculated power grab. This intention to disenfranchise women and the disabled is not merely a byproduct of political discourse but a deliberate strategy to strip away fundamental rights and control access to vital resources. By targeting these vulnerable populations, a clear message is sent: those who do not conform to a narrow ideological standard are expendable. This erosion of compassion and support for the most vulnerable among us is a dangerous trajectory that threatens the very fabric of a just and equitable society. It is imperative that we recognize this for what it is and actively resist these efforts to marginalize and disempower, advocating instead for a society that champions inclusion, empathy, and the inherent worth of every individual.
Until we are able to return to the age of science and reasoning, we parents and caregivers will just need to hold our changelings a little closer. Until we are able to return to the age of science and reasoning, we parents and caregivers will just need to hold our changelings a little closer, offer them unwavering love and support, and continue to advocate for their unique needs. By embracing their individuality and providing a nurturing environment, we can help them navigate a world that may not always understand them, ensuring they grow into resilient and confident individuals.
Until we are able to return to the age of science and reasoning, we parents and caregivers will just need to hold our changelings a little closer, offer them unwavering love and support, and continue to advocate for their unique needs. By embracing their individuality and providing a nurturing environment, we can help them navigate a world that may not always understand them, ensuring they grow into resilient and confident individuals. Our collective commitment to fostering acceptance and understanding is paramount, as it is through our dedicated efforts that these exceptional children will not only survive but thrive, ultimately shaping a future that celebrates all forms of human experience.
Works Cited
Kessler, Ronald. The Sins of the Father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the Dynasty He Founded. Warner Books, 1996.
Grimké, Sarah. Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and the Condition of Women. Isaac Knapp, 1838.
"Autism CDC Rates RFK Research." NPR, 16 Apr. 2025, www.npr.org.
"Why Did Changelings Terrorize the Victorian Age? | Monstrum." YouTube, uploaded by PBS Digital Studios, 16 Apr. 2025.
