Health experts say there is no one source of responsibility for autism. And doctors say acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is safe to use.
President Trump suggests possible treatment for autism
President Trump said the “big announcement” about autism will come from the White House on Monday, September 22nd.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is expected to announce autism at the White House event on September 22nd afternoon.
“I think you think it’s amazing,” Trump told Charlie Kirk’s memorial rally in Glendale, Arizona on September 21. “I think we’ve found the answer to autism.”
Trump is scheduled to make a presentation at 4 p.m. with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrators of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
According to Politico and the Washington Post, authorities will announce that use of Tylenol during pregnancy can contribute to the development of autism in children. In a statement, Kamboo, owner of Tylenol, said in a statement that the active ingredient “acetaminophen does not cause autism.”
Trump and his advisors are expected to also discuss potential treatments for autism, the news organization reported.
Here’s what we know about the announcement:
Autism is increasingly diagnosed
Autism spectrum disorder is the clinical name of what most people call autism and is diagnosed based on challenges that involve social skills, communication and repetitive behavior. Symptoms vary widely across the spectrum, with some people not able to communicate at all, others being very successful.
The diagnosis of autism has increased significantly since 2000. By 2020, the US autism rate among 8-year-olds had 1 in 36 people, up from 0.66% in 2000.
Decades of research have not provided solid answers about what contributes to autism, but many scientists believe that genetics plays a role, and potentially, environmental impacts. Kennedy claims that the country has an “autism epidemic” fueled by “environmental toxins.”
Because characteristics and levels of support vary widely, “there is no single approach to suit all people with autism,” says Christopher Banks, president and CEO of the American Autism Association.
“Acetaminophen does not cause autism”: Tylenol
Tylenol’s parent company Kemb has issued a statement that independent scientific research has shown that taking acetaminophen is “the safest painkiller option for pregnant women when needed during pregnancy.”
The company said a decade of rigorous research approved by leading health professionals and global health regulators found “there is no reliable evidence linking acetaminophen to autism.”
“We believe that independent science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism,” the statement said. “If not, I will strongly oppose any suggestions and be deeply concerned with the health risks this poses in order to expect a mother.”
Still, more than 20 studies around the world have linked autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder by pregnant people frequently using acetaminophen.
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.
A federal judge found that the 440 lawsuits against Tylenol makers lacked “acceptable evidence” that would indicate a link between Tylenol and prenatal use of autism or ADHD, according to an ABC News report. -ZAC Anderson And Adriana Rodriguez
“Sound Answers” to Causes of Autism: Experts
Trump signed an executive order in February to create the Make America Healthy Commission, which includes research into the threat of certain drugs.
At a press conference in April, Kennedy said autism is “preventable” and directed the National Institutes of Health to “determine exactly what environmental toxins are causing it.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously found that increased incidence of autism could be attributed to increased access to diagnostic tools and improved early detection. According to the CDC, some people with autism spectrum disorder have genetic conditions, but other “the causes are not yet known.”
“There will never be a healthy answer to the causes of autism,” said Helen Tagger Fulsberg, a psychologist studying neurodevelopmental conditions at Boston University, Massachusetts. -Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
What does the doctor say about Tylenol?
Medical guidelines state that acetaminophen, a common form of Tylenol, is safe to use. Acetaminophen is commonly used by pregnant women, and pregnant women are already advised not to use ibuprofen after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The Association of Maternal and Fetal Medicine and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology approved it in a statement on September 5th using acetaminophen during pregnancy.
“Acetaminophen remains a safe and reliable option for pain relief during pregnancy,” the statement said. “Despite recent unfounded claims, there is no clear evidence linking careful use to problems with fetal development.”
Contributions: Daryl Austin, USA Today; Reuters
