The following is a personal essay, and reflects the opinion of its author. September 23, 2025Yesterday, President Donald Trump carelessly advised that pregnant people should avoid Tylenol (acetaminophen), suggesting it causes autism.
As an autistic, ADHD parent and social scientist, I can say plainly: this isn’t science; it’s fear-mongering. It revives mother-blaming myths, weaponizes uncertainty, and treats autistic existence as something to prevent rather than accept.The scientific record does not support a causal link between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism.
Some observational studies report small associations — slightly higher rates of autism or ADHD in children whose mothers used acetaminophen during pregnancy — while others find no link.
Associations aren’t causation, and these studies are limited by confounding and measurement problems that Trump and others in his administration didn’t mention in their press conference, which has been widely criticized.A stronger test comes from sibling-comparison research.
Read more on additudemag.com