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SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: In this photo illustration, boxes of Tylenol are displayed on September 22, 2025 in San Anselmo, California. The Trump administration will reportedly link use of the painkiller acetaminophen during pregnancy to autism during a White House press conference today. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
On Monday, September 22, 2025, during a White House news conference, Donald J. Trump said that Tylenol consumed during pregnancy is linked to autism. Studies have found that Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, does not cause autism, while there is a suggestion that there may be a potential link between heavy or prolonged usage of Tylenol and neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, there is no causation (UCHealth 2025).
Interviews with THS students and staff
I interviewed students and staff at THS. This is what they had to say about the Trump administration’s recent statement. Many people I interviewed shared the same opinions as Gavi and Mr. Tucker, but Brady and Julia’s statements stood out in particular.
Gavi Tellers is a sophomore here at Tumwater, and she said that because she takes lots of Tylenol, it doesn’t cause autism. “I take lots of Tylenol and I’m not autistic, so I don’t think it causes autism.”
Jamar Tucker is a campus supervisor at THS. He said that he doesn’t yet have an opinion on this statement because this was the first time he’s heard about it, but he hopes it’s not true because lots of people use it for pain medication. “I don’t have an opinion on that because this is the first time I’ve heard about this, but I hope it’s not true because lots of people use it as pain medication.”
Brady Rush is a sophomore here at THS. He said that the idea that any medication causes autism/ADHD is flawed because he says that neurological conditions such as autism and ADHD are formed in the brain in utero. “I think that the idea that medication causes autism is stupid because it’s something that develops in your brain when you are in the womb.”
Although this is a controversial topic, according to the Autism Science Foundation, medication does not cause autism. Autism is a complex neurological condition influenced by genetics and environmental factors. Autism originates from differences in the brain that begin before birth and continue in early years, with brain overgrowth and abnormal circuitry forming during the first two years of life (NIH).
Julia Antirm, a tenth-grade student at THS, says that people who believe this to be true are stupid and delusional. “People who genuinely believe that Tylenol causes autism are stupid and delusional.”
My opinion
I personally do not believe that Tylenol causes autism because autism is a genetic neurological disorder and has nothing to do with what medication you take during pregnancy. Doctors test the positive and negative effects of medications in a series of trials before the FDA can approve the medication, and every few years, they do tests on it to make sure that nothing goes wrong with the medication. The president of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), Steven J. Fleischman, said,
“Suggestions that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism are not only highly concerning to clinicians but also irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients, including those who may need to rely on this beneficial medicine during pregnancy.”
Leaving pain or fever untreated during pregnancy causes birth defects, neurodevelopmental disorders, premature birth, fetal distress, and miscarriages (NIH 2020). It is safer to take Tylenol as directed by a doctor rather than just leaving it unattended. If you are concerned about the effects it may have on your baby or you need more information about Tylenol, you can call or talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Citations:
Neff, Todd. “Does taking Tylenol during pregnancy cause autism? The evidence says ‘no.’” UCHealth, 24 September 2025, https://www.uchealth.org/today/does-taking-tylenol-during-pregnancy-cause-autism-the-evidence-says-no/. Accessed 26 September 2025.
“Causes, Signs and Symptoms.” Autism Science Foundation, https://autismsciencefoundation.org/causes-signs-and-symptoms/. Accessed 30 September 2025.
Neff, Todd. “Does taking Tylenol during pregnancy cause autism? The evidence says ‘no.’” UCHealth, 24 September 2025, https://www.uchealth.org/today/does-taking-tylenol-during-pregnancy-cause-autism-the-evidence-says-no/. Accessed 26 September 2025.
Courchesne, E. PRENATAL ORIGINS OF ASD: THE WHEN, WHAT AND HOW OF ASD DEVELOPMENT, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7373219/. Accessed 30 September 2025.
“Causes and consequences of fever during pregnancy: A retrospective study in a gynaecological emergency department.” PubMed Central, 24 August 2020, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7444605/. Accessed 30 September 2025.