Experts contend autism diagnoses have risen mainly because the definition of autism has expanded, awareness of the condition has grown<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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TUESDAY, Sept. 23, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 President Donald Trump<\/a> on Monday linked autism to acetaminophen use in pregnancy and vaccines \u2014 claims that scientists say are not supported by evidence.<\/p>\n Trump said women should avoid Tylenol \u201cduring the entire pregnancy.\u201d He added that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would begin warning doctors that acetaminophen \u201ccan be associated\u201d with autism.<\/p>\n No new medical data was presented to back up the claim.<\/p>\n Trump also questioned the role of vaccines in rising autism rates, echoing long-standing \u2014 and debunked \u2014 claims by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr<\/a>.<\/p>\n The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC) estimates that 1 in 31 U.S. 8-year-olds is now diagnosed with autism.<\/p>\n At Trump\u2019s urging, Kennedy announced an \u201call-agency\u201d initiative to search for possible causes of autism. The initiative is to involve the CDC, National Institutes of Health, FDA, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.<\/p>\n Experts, however, note that autism diagnoses have risen mainly because the definition of autism has expanded to include milder cases and because awareness of the condition has grown, The Associated Press <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n Researchers emphasize that autism has no single cause.<\/p>\n Instead, decades of studies suggest both genetic and environmental factors play a role. Experts warn that claims about Tylenol or vaccines could weaken people\u2019s trust in proven medical advice.<\/p>\n Trump previewed his announcement the night before, telling reporters, \u201cI think we found an answer to autism,” The Associated Press<\/em> said.<\/p>\n Experts say these types of statements oversell what any administration could deliver in its first year and that much more research is needed to understand how autism develops.<\/p>\n Outside organizations quickly pushed back against the administration\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine said in a statement<\/a> Monday that “acetaminophen is an appropriate medication to treat pain and fever during pregnancy.”<\/p>\n The group noted that while some studies have suggested possible associations with autism or ADHD, none has proven a causal relationship.<\/p>\n “All of the studies to date, including the most recent research, have significant methodological and design limitations and do not clearly establish the link between acetaminophen and childhood neurobehavioral issues,” the group said.<\/p>\n The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also criticized the announcement.<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s White House event on autism was filled with dangerous claims and misleading information that sends a confusing message to parents and expecting parents and does a disservice to autistic individuals,\u201d AAP President Dr. Susan Kressly<\/a> said in a statement.<\/p>\n “Studies have repeatedly found no credible link between life-saving childhood vaccines and autism. This research, in many countries, involving thousands of individuals, has spanned multiple decades. Any effort to misrepresent sound, strong science poses a threat to the health of children,” she added.<\/p>\n The announcement comes as Kennedy continues to push changes at public health agencies, including altering vaccine recommendations and replacing long-standing advisory panels with vaccine critics.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The Mayo Clinic has more on autism<\/a>.<\/p>\n