Autism Is not a Disease: The Real Risk of Trump’s Tylenol Claim

Early last week, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that taking Tylenol (paracetamol) during pregnancy “can be associated with a very increased risk of autism,” urging women to “fight like hell” to avoid it. Experts quickly criticised the remark as unsupported by scientific evidence, yet it has been elevated to the forefront of U.S. health policy. Pushing an agenda that frames autism as a mother’s responsibility and pathologising it as an undesirable trait, while undermining women’s agency to manage their own pain.

The Science Says Otherwise

Medical experts around the world quickly pushed back against Trump’s claims. The report his officials referred to was an August review led by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which analysed 46 studies on acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). Of these, 27 suggested a potential link to neurodivergence, including autism and ADHD; nine showed no significant link, and four indicated a possible protective effect. The authors stressed that more research was needed and recommended only cautious, time-limited use during pregnancy.

Instead of treating these findings with nuance, Trump and his officials oversimplified them and presented them as established fact, ignoring a wide body of larger, global studies that tell a different story. For example, a 2024 analysis of 2.5 million children in Sweden, alongside a Japanese study published this year, found no causal connection between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism. Health authorities in both the U.S. and U.K. continue to emphasise that acetaminophen remains the safest painkiller for pregnant women when used as directed.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reaffirmed this position, while the UK’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting put it bluntly: “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly, on this.”

Autism is not a disease 

The bigger problem isn’t just medical accuracy; it’s how Trump’s comments frame autism. Treating autism as something to be prevented, eliminated, or “cured” harms autistic people and their families, rather than fostering belonging or supporting their needs.

Autism is a form of lifelong neurodivergence and disability that affects how people experience and interact with the world. It is a spectrum, encompassing a wide range of characteristics that vary from person to person. Trump is correct that the number of people officially diagnosed with autism has risen, but most researchers agree this reflects increased awareness and changes in how it is classified. The evolving definition of autism means more people fit the diagnostic criteria, and better screening tools have contributed to higher prevalence. For example, some people previously diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome were reclassified under Autism Spectrum Disorder in the U.S. in 2013.

Within Trump’s team, the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has criticised this view as “epidemic denial” and described autism as “preventable,” previously offering debunked theories about causes, including vaccines, despite no evidence.

Autism is not a disease. It is not an epidemic. The National Autistic Society states: “It is incorrect to talk about cures or elimination in relation to autism. Research should respectfully and ethically centre autistic people and their experiences, goals, and needs rather than focusing on the cause of autism.”

By pathologising autism, leaders like Trump and Kennedy reinforce stigma and deepen the isolation many autistic people already face for their unsupported differences. Misinformation wounds these communities and enables harmful ideas to enter mainstream discourse.

Mothers Caught in the Crossfire

The president’s comments didn’t just mischaracterise autism; they cast mothers as the culprits. Advising women to “tough it out” unless in extreme pain sets up a cruel false choice: prioritise your own health, or your baby’s. Kate Womersly from the Guardian points out how discouraging paracetamol use risks pushing pregnant women toward other over-the-counter alternatives, like ibuprofen, which carries proven risks after 20 weeks. It also highlights a long-standing issue: women’s health research, particularly for marginalised communities, is chronically underfunded, leaving critical gaps in evidence.

In response, UK health authorities updated guidance to reassure pregnant women and families that there is no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism. It remains as the recommended first-choice pain reliever for pregnant women, to be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration. Its antipyretic properties also make it important for safely treating fever during pregnancy.

Why does this matter for business

Yes, Autism prevalence has risen in recent decades, not due to an epidemic, but because of greater awareness, evolving diagnostic criteria, and better screening. In the slew of untruths from the US president, one truth is undeniable: autistic people are part of every workplace, every market, and every community.

When powerful figures spread misinformation, science isn’t just distorted, but the stigma is also legitimised, and trust is eroded in our health systems, putting people at risk. These narratives, specifically, instead of focusing on how to improve belonging and opportunities for autistic people, pathologise their difference. Similarly, mothers are left facing fear and guilt rather than support, now feeling dubious regarding safe guidance around pain relief during pregnancy.

Autistic people don’t need prevention; they need support, resources, and belonging. Mothers don’t need blame; they need evidence-based care. As business leaders, we have a responsibility to create environments that support both. Inclusive hiring, autism-friendly workplaces, and equitable health benefits aren’t optional; they are strategic imperatives. Early intervention helps autistic children develop communication, social, and self-regulation skills, while adult programs support ongoing skill-building and independence. Equally, supporting mothers in the workplace during pregnancy is essential.

At The Unmistakables, we help businesses create workplaces that are inclusive, supportive, and future-ready for everyone. If this resonates with your current needs, get in touch.