Is Tylenol Really Linked to Autism? Inside the New Debate

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 36 children in the United States, with diagnoses rising sharply since the early 2000s.

While the causes of autism remain complex and not fully understood, scientists emphasize that genetics, environment, and maternal health all play significant roles.

Recently, the debate intensified when President Donald Trump linked the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in pregnancy to autism, urging families to avoid the drug.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) responded by adding a new warning label citing a “possible association,” while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supported calls for more research.

However, large-scale studies from Sweden and Japan found no causal link, and many experts stress that the evidence remains weak. Tylenol’s manufacturer, Kenvue, insists independent science shows no connection.

With politics, regulators, and researchers divided, families are left navigating mixed messages.