President Donald Trump gave a speech Sept. 22 linking acetaminophen use during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism.
The claim was made with approval from Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Mehmet Oz. Kennedy stated that the Food and Drug Administration would soon update the label for acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, to reflect the risk for pregnant women.
“Don’t take Tylenol,” Trump advised pregnant women during the conference. “It won’t be as easy, maybe. But don’t take it if you’re pregnant.”
There is currently no conclusive link between prenatal acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. An August 2025 meta-analysis from researchers at various universities showed an association, but authors clarified that they did not recommend pregnant women to stop using Tylenol entirely.
The FDA released a letter Sept. 22 about the link between acetaminophen and autism, stating that “a causal relationship has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature.”
“When evaluating this claim, we can ask ourselves: whose expertise do we find credible as a source of information?” said Abbey Eisenhower, a professor at UMass Boston who has done research into autism and its effects on childhood development. “In this case, science and physicians, who have been studying this question and advising their patients accordingly, are a source we can turn to for more information. They have strongly and clearly stated that there is no link between acetaminophen and autism or ADHD.”
Eisenhower also clarified that untreated fevers during pregnancy could result in “inflammatory stress and other possible challenges for the developing fetus.” The FDA’s letter stated that “acetaminophen is the only over-the-counter drug approved for use to treat fevers during pregnancy, and high fevers in pregnant women can pose a risk to their children. Additionally, aspirin and ibuprofen have well-documented adverse impacts on the fetus.”
In addition to the Tylenol claims, HHS officials announced in a press release Sept. 22 that it would begin the approval process for leucovorin, a cancer care drug, as a potential treatment for “speech-related deficits associated with [autism spectrum disorder].” Leucovorin is typically used for cerebral folate deficiency, which “has been associated with autism.” A related HHS fact sheet claimed that genetic CFD could cause “global developmental delays with autistic features.”
“While promising, it is important to note that leucovorin is not a cure for ASD and may only lead to improvements in speech-related deficits for a subset of children with ASD,” the press release said. “Furthermore, this treatment must be administered under close medical supervision and in conjunction with other non-pharmacological approaches for children with ASD (e.g., behavioral therapy).”
The American Psychiatric Association also released a statement Sept. 22, saying, “leucovorin (folinic acid) has not been a recommended treatment for autism. It will require many more years of research before we know if leucovorin is an appropriate treatment for individuals with autism.”
HHS has discussed autism multiple times in the past. Kennedy made a statement in April promising an end to the “autism epidemic” by September, claiming, “You stop taking something, you stop eating something, or maybe it’s a shot, but something’s causing it.” These comments generated backlash from both scientific experts and autistic Americans, who see the administration’s goals as stigmatizing towards autistic people.
“Autism is not something that needs to be cured,” Eisenhower said. “It is part of our neurodiversity, our natural range of diversity in human minds. As ASAN, the disability rights organization run by and for autistic people, says in their response statement, efforts to ‘end’ autism or ‘cure’ autism, and claims that autism shouldn’t exist, are equivalent to saying autistic people shouldn’t exist.”
Eisenhower stated that in order to fully understand and enhance the well-being of those with autism, researchers should turn to autistic people themselves for insight.
“We can do things like allowing flexible ways for everyone to participate in the classroom. And investing in mental health resources and disability resources on campus,” she said. “Our community, and our learning, is greatly enriched by having a diversity of neurotypes and learners.”
