This week, President Donald Trump said something that made a lot of moms sit up: he suggested that Tylenol, when taken during pregnancy, could be behind the rise in autism. Tylenol is one of the most common pain relievers pregnant women are told they can take. For many moms, hearing the president say “don’t take it during pregnancy” feels alarming.
Scientists, though, say there’s no proven link. For years, researchers have looked at whether acetaminophen (the drug in Tylenol) could be connected to autism. Some studies raise questions, but nothing is clear. Doctors point out that autism is complicated—there isn’t a single cause, and most experts agree that both genetics and environment play a role.
But politics has a way of cutting through science. Trump’s comments come at a time when his health team, guided by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is trying to shake up the way America handles health. Kennedy has long questioned vaccines and other common medicines. Under his influence, even the CDC’s vaccine guidance has been rewritten.
The Rise in Autism Numbers
For mothers, this kind of talk can feel overwhelming. On one hand, they want to do everything possible to protect our babies. On the other hand, mothers rely on doctors, midwives, and science to help us make safe choices. When the president says, “I think we found the autism answer,” it’s easy to feel hope—but also confusion. Because moms know there isn’t usually one simple answer when it comes to our children’s health.
The truth is, autism has been rising in numbers. Right now, the CDC says about 1 in 31 children in the U.S. are diagnosed. That’s a big change from decades ago. But experts explain that a lot of this is because doctors now recognize autism as a wide spectrum. Children who might have been overlooked before are now getting help. Some kids have very mild signs and are still included in the count. That shift makes the numbers look like autism is exploding, even though much of it comes from better awareness and diagnosis.
Moms Don’t Need More Blame
Of course, for families with loved ones on the spectrum, statistics don’t matter as much as real life does. Moms don’t need more blame or finger-pointing—we need support. Many of us already carry guilt, wondering if something we did during pregnancy could have caused autism. Was it the food we ate? The medicine we took? The stress we felt? Most doctors say that’s not how autism works. But when leaders speak in absolutes, it can reopen those painful doubts.
It’s also important to remember: Tylenol is one of the few medications pregnant women are actually told is safe to take. For moms dealing with migraines, fevers, or pain, being told “don’t use it” without clear evidence can leave them stuck. Do they suffer through? Do they risk something worse, like an untreated high fever? These are the real-life questions parents face.
Finding Balance as Las Vegas Parents
So where does that leave parents? Probably where we’ve always been: trying to sort through a mix of science, politics, and parenting instincts. The best step right now may be balance. Listen to doctors you trust. Stay informed about new research. But also be gentle with yourself. Autism is not caused by a straightforward thing. And blaming moms—or their Tylenol—only makes a hard job harder.
If your child is facing speech or hearing challenges, or if you’re seeking guidance for yourself or a loved one, we are here at Nevada Autism to assist you. Every experience can become a stepping stone to helping children grow and find their voice.
