Autistic Spectrum Pride Flag
A rainbow nautilus, used to represent the autism spectrum, set on a background that takes the Disability Pride flag and moves the stripes to the side. Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
Can Tylenol During Pregnancy Really Cause Autism? Really?
“Don’t take Tylenol,” President Trump said, repeatedly emphasizing that pregnant people with fever should “tough it out” as much as they can, despite evidence that uncontrolled fever and infections during pregnancy can themselves increase risk of autism. (increase risk of autism)
In reality, 50 years of autism research shows that the condition arises from a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors. Hundreds of genes may be involved, and the presence or absence of any of them does not confirm that a person will have autism. There are also genetic mutations that have been attributed to the development of autism. If environmental factors play a role (e.g., taking Tylenol during pregnancy), their impact is not at all consistent, but without the genetic foundation, no individual will be negatively impacted by Tylenol or any other environmental factor. There are so many potential environmental factors that a person with a genetic predisposition is unlikely to be able to avoid them. The role of the environment is likely to trigger autistic symptoms or to increase their appearance in an individual. Therefore, it is basically accurate to say that the condition is primarily genetic.
What Is Autism?
Autism symptoms are often described as being on a spectrum. Dozens if not hundreds of behavioral symptoms can be listed for autism. Any combination of symptoms can present themselves. Similarly, the severity of the symptoms can vary greatly. Every autistic person is different. Moreover, autistic children often become naturally skilled at “masking” as they grow into adulthood. Masking means that autistic persons learn through experience and observation to restrain certain of their behaviors that negatively interfere with social, work, and family relations. Being diagnosed and learning about autism makes masking more effective and prevalent. Observers may think that the autistic person has become “better,” but that is not true. They have, however, become more skilled at controlling their behavior temporarily.
Autism, like ADHD–both described as neurodivergent behaviors–has been perceived to be on the rise in recent decades. This is an illusion. What has certainly increased is our scientific ability to define and detect the nuances of autism. (When I was young, autistic children were simply naughty children whose parents were lazy or not doing a good job of child rearing.) There may also be an environmental role played by the exponentially increasing technological stresses of our society. If we really wanted to remove potential environmental factors and stressors, we’d have to start by removing cell phones, the internet, and AI from our lives. Shall we go there?
I used the word neurodivergent. It describes a brain that functions differently in patterns and biochemical connections as compared to the neurotypical brain. Some of the divergencies are inefficient, but others are surprisingly creative and innovative. As science learns more, many diagnosed autistic persons come to understand that their condition is not a negative one, to be labeled a “disorder,” but an alternative mental adaptation that can sometimes make life better. Donald Trump and RFK, Jr. don’t have a clue.
Additional Sources
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/autism-has-no-single-cause-research-shows/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/heres-what-we-know-about-the-causes-of-autism
https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/autism-research-2024
https://autism.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Understanding-Autism-Research-PDF-Final-Design.pdf
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-common-is-autism
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/adhd-vs-autism
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/for-females-with-autism-differences-matter
“Meidas Health Emergency Episode: Combating Trump’s Deadly Autism Lies,” Brett Meidas (9/23/25).
