Experts claim Trump’s autism about Tylenol
Healthcare experts are challenging President Donald Trump’s autism claim and defending Tylenol’s safety during pregnancy.
Autism is a topic Brittany Slouter cares deeply about. All three children ages 11, 12, 13 – 13 have clinical names for a condition called autism spectrum disorder, or autism. Her two daughters, who have ASD level 3, say they are nonverbal and require lifelong care for their basic needs.
So, when her 37-year-old Pennsylvania mother heard a White House press conference, she coordinated that President Donald Trump had made a promise a few days before he revealed his “answer to autism.”
She calls the president’s “answer” – the pregnant Tylenol – “to bring her to life.”
Slaughter says he never took Tylenol during his pregnancy. Nor were other mothers of children with autism expressing similar disappointment at the president’s remarks. “I have five autistic babies and I know the truth. “I never took Tylenol or acetaminophen when I was pregnant,” another wrote. “Nothing caused this. He was born from it.”
“We’ve come so far since our kids were diagnosed 12 years ago. We’re making the space more inclusive and not letting our autistic minds fear,” Slawter says.
In Slawter’s view, all of this press conference was primarily about putting moms accountable for something that appears to remain outside their control.
“I didn’t take Tylenol. I was very wary of caring for myself,” she says. “I really feel that for my parents it was a slap in my face.”
What does science say about the use of Tylenol during pregnancy?
Trump’s announcement was vowed by Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who vowed to find the cause of the rise in autism incidents by September 2025.
“We’re going to make an autism announcement on Monday,” Trump said on September 20 at a dinner hosted by the conservative American Foundation Stone Institute. “I think it’s going to be a very important announcement. I think it will be one of the most important things we do.”
Trump reflected these feelings the following day at a memorial rally for murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk. “I think you think it’s amazing,” Trump said at the rally. “I think we’ve found the answer to autism.”
Acetaminophen, often sold under the brand name Tylenol, has long been considered the safest option for managing headaches, fever and other pains during pregnancy. According to the Maternal and Fetal Medicine Association, a large survey has reported that between 40% and 65% of pregnant women use acetaminophen at some point during their pregnancy.
Decades of research have not provided a solid answer on what contributes to autism, but many scientists believe that genetics plays a potential role in combination with environmental influences. They also say that the increased incidence of autism can be attributed to increased access to diagnostic tools and improved early detection.
A report published in BMC Environmental Health found that a large study with over 100,000 participants tended to find a link between acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders during pregnancy. More than 20 studies around the world have shown that frequent use of acetaminophen during pregnancy is associated with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, some studies have also found competing evidence.
A 2024 study in Sweden found that over 180,000 children who were exposed to acetaminophen during pregnancy had no association between painkillers and the risk of children with autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.
Some researchers say the data is not too cut and dry. Many health conditions that cause pain and fever, commonly treated with Tylenol, are also associated with an increased risk of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. For example, a 2024 Swedish study found that parents who “have high acetaminophen” tend to have an increased diagnosis of psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders, and are more likely to inhale other medications or take other medications.
The way Slawter sees it, the cause of autism remains almost mystical, and perhaps has no single answer.
“He said he had a cause by September, so they figured out what they could find,” she says. “So many moms say, ‘I’ve never taken Tylenol and I have multiple kids on the spectrum.’ So when I heard it, it felt almost hilarious. ”
“They are amazing little people.”
Many parents of children with autism already feel that enough guilt. I wonder if many people have done something wrong. Many people wonder if there is something they can do differently.
The government’s discourse about Tylenol, which she worries about, may exacerbate this.
“I found it harmful,” she says. “Hearing his press conference, he says, ‘Make it difficult, don’t take it.’ It feels like it creates fear in women. ”
As a mother to three autistic children, Slaughter says she wants everything for more research, science and understanding of the causes of autism.
But equally important to her is finding ways for children with autism to flourish in adulthood. Educating others about how to talk about autism, she says.
In the meantime, Slaughter, who is married this weekend, looks forward to continuing to look after his children and family. Her goal is to ensure that her children do not lose sight of their worth.
“I don’t want my kids to feel this scary thing,” Slaughter said. “They are amazing little people.”
Contribution: Adriana Rodriguez
