On Sept. 22, 2025, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) announced that he had found the reason for the uptick in diagnoses for autism: Tylenol, otherwise known as acetaminophen.
For years, acetaminophen was among the few painkillers deemed safe for pregnant women and their unborn children; however, RFK Jr. alleges that the medicine has a significant link to the development of autism, and that pregnant women should take as little as possible. This is despite numerous studies being conducted in the past that disprove any link.
The announcement was made due to an increase in autism diagnoses in the U.S.. One in 31 children are said to have the disorder. President Donald’s Trump has stated his concern for this on numerous occasions, claiming that autism “destroys families.”
RFK Jr.’s announcement, however, has been the subject of much outcry from the autistic community at large. “It’s seriously like he looked at his medicine cabinet and chose at random,” said one anonymous individual with autism. “Like, ‘Oh, crap, we don’t have anything for the announcement today! Uhh… eeny, meeny, miny, moe… Tylenol! That’s it!’”
Similarly, many doctors reacted with astonishment at the announcement. Those at John Hopkins University released a statement saying that no link between autism and acetaminophen exists, and that it was “unethical” to discourage pregnant women from taking it, as untreated fevers are far more dangerous to the pregnancy at large.
It is because of the associated risks that studying these sorts of cause/effect relationships is notoriously difficult. If most women take Tylenol for fevers during pregnancy, it stands to reason that most autistic children would be born to them, as they make up the inherent majority. It is a case of correlation—not necessarily causation.
Regardless, pregnant women should be cautious of the medicines they take. When unsure, the best course of action is to schedule an appointment with your general practitioner to assess your options and weigh the risks.
