US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks alleging acetaminophen, or commonly known as Tylenol, use by pregnant women has been linked to autism has seen a flurry of responses from experts rush to dispute the claim and calling it misinformation.
Rachel Vahey is a mother of two, including eight-year-old Layla, who has level three autism.
Her first reaction to Trump’s comments was anger, and it falls back on a trend she’s seen before.
Sarah Hillier is a mother of two boys with autism, seven-year-old Lauchlan and five-year-old Ryker.
She echoed Vahey’s remarks.
Vahey was also upset with Trump speaking about autism like it’s a disease that needs to be cured, when she said it’s the farthest thing from the truth.
Autism Ontario is the province’s leading source of information and referral on autism and one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community.
Subject Matter Expert Tracie Lindblad, who is also a Speech and Language Pathologist and a Behaviour Analyst who holds a Masters in Education, disputes the recent claims and says in fact, not taking Tylenol when it’s necessary presents a greater risk.
Lindblad is frustrated the conversation around what causes autism has begun again when it’s already been extensively researched.
That money, Lindblad says, could instead go towards supporting people with autism and the organizations which offer help.
Hillier said Trump’s rhetoric sound like eugenics.
A 2024 peer-review Swedish study which included more than two million children found no connection between pregnant women taking acetaminophen causing autism or any other neurodevelopmental disorder.
Lindblad encourages everyone to listen to the experts on matters like these and if you have any questions, ask your doctor.
You can listen to Lindblad’s entire interview below.
You can also hear Vahey’s and Hillier’s.
Vahey:
Hillier:
Autism Ontario also issued a statement which includes additional resources for those interested in learning more.
Story by Grant Deme