The autism community has been left shaken after comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump during his speech at Charlie Kirk’s memorial.
Trump teasing about autism cure during speech at Charlie Kirk’s Memorial.
Amid applause, Trump hinted at what he called one of the “biggest medical announcements in history.” His words?
“I think we found an answer to autism. How about that? Autism. We won’t let it happen anymore.”
At first, the crowd roared. But outside the stadium, his statement sparked anger, confusion, and heartbreak — especially among families living with autism every single day.
Linking Autism to Tylenol?
On Monday, the Trump administration doubled down, suggesting that Tylenol (acetaminophen), a common pain and fever reliever used during pregnancy, may be linked to higher autism rates in children.
“Taking Tylenol is not good,” Trump declared, adding that autism is “artificially induced” — though he offered no research or evidence to back up the claim.
This is where the backlash exploded.
Medical experts quickly pushed back. Both the U.S. and Canadian associations of obstetricians and gynecologists issued statements confirming that there’s no proven causal link between Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism.
“The vast majority of doctors do not believe Tylenol causes autism,” said Dr. Christopher Labos, a cardiologist and epidemiologist in Montreal. “The evidence just isn’t there.”
Families Speak Out
For many parents, the suggestion felt like more than misinformation — it felt like an attack.
“It’s trying to make a huge thing small,” said Vicky Haaksman, a mother of a nine-year-old son with autism and ADHD. “Instead of focusing on what families need, they’re blaming Tylenol with no real evidence.”
Other parents echoed her frustration.
Rachel Snider, a mom from Ontario raising a three-year-old with profound autism, said:
“Using words like curing it or preventing it gives people the wrong focus. Autism isn’t something to erase — it’s about understanding and supporting.”
Autism: What Science Really Says
So what does the science actually say?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition, not a single disease with a single cause. Research shows it’s strongly linked to genetics, while some other risk factors may include:
- Prenatal exposure to pollutants or pesticides
- Prematurity or low birth weight
- Certain maternal health problems
- Parents conceiving later in life
What it is not linked to, according to leading health agencies: Tylenol.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recently confirmed that acetaminophen remains the safest first-line treatment for fever and pain in pregnancy.
Why Families Are Angry
For parents, these comments don’t just spread misinformation — they increase stigma.
“It makes me so angry,” said Shannon Burley, a mother whose five-year-old son is autistic. “It makes me feel like they’re blaming moms. That I could’ve prevented it. And that’s just wrong.”
Another mother, Katherine L’Etang, who is autistic herself, added:
“All this does is set us back. It doesn’t provide supports. It only places guilt on women and mothers.”
This framing — calling autism something to be “fixed” or “cured” — shifts the conversation away from supporting children and families, and instead fuels fear.
Autism by the Numbers
- In Canada: 1 in 50 children are diagnosed with autism.
- In the U.S.: The rate in 8-year-olds rose from 0.66% in 2000 to 2.77% in 2020.
Experts explain this increase isn’t an epidemic — it’s due to better screening, awareness, and diagnosis.
Still, when powerful leaders promote unproven theories, it can lead to panic, guilt, and misinformation spreading like wildfire.
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Why This Matters
Misinformation about autism isn’t harmless. It can:
- Increase stigma around autism.
- Put unnecessary guilt on mothers.
- Distract from meaningful supports that autistic people actually need.
- Create fear around safe medications like Tylenol.
And when misinformation comes from someone in power, the effects can ripple globally.
Share your thoughts on this
We want to hear from you.
- Do you believe leaders should be more careful when discussing conditions like autism?
- How do comments like this affect families living with autism?
- What do you think is the most important focus for autism support today?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going and give space to the voices that matter most — the families and individuals living with autism every day.
And if you found this article helpful, share it — because fighting misinformation starts with awareness.
Well we shall see what President Trump is up to. Thanks for keeping us up to date.