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Is a Pain Reliever the Cause of Autism?

MacKenzie Comfort, Editor

September 24, 2025

SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 23: In this photo illustration, Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is listed on a package of Tylenol on September 23, 2025 in San Anselmo, California. The Trump administration linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism during a White House press conference yesterday. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

What is Autism?

Well, Autism is not a mental health condition and isn’t a learning disability; however, it is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability that affects how some people live their day-to-day lives.

BBC News explains, “It is a spectrum, meaning it includes a wide range of characteristics which vary from person to person. It can include those with high support needs who are non-speaking, and those with above-average intelligence who might struggle with social interaction or communication.”

1 in 31 children in the U.S. has autism, and it is more common for boys to be diagnosed than girls.

Sunday, September 21st, 2025, while speaking at Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Phoenix, Arizona, President Donald Trump made shocking comments about the widely used pain reliever, Tylenol. While many medical bodies recommend the drug Tylenol for fever and pain during pregnancy, the Trump administration cited recent studies linking the medicine to an increase in Autism diagnoses.

At a White House briefing, Trump made comments about acetaminophen — the active ingredient in Tylenol, “I want to say it like it is: Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it,” he said. “Fight like hell not to take it.”While the Trump administration is urging doctors not to recommend Tylenol for pregnant women in pain, medical experts worldwide have made statements, including noting that there is no evidence supporting the harsh claims.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), left, and US President Donald Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Trump said his administration was linking acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, to autism and urging pregnant women to largely avoid the medication. Photographer: Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

A professor in social and developmental psychology at Durham University in the UK, Monique Botha stated, “There is no robust evidence or convincing studies to suggest there is any causal relationship.” And president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Steven J. Fleischman, M.D., also said, “It is highly unsettling that our federal health agencies are willing to make an announcement that will affect the health and well-being of millions of people without the backing of reliable data.”

So far, there has not been any evidence supporting the claim Tylenol causes Autism, but there is speculation that is still being researched. Pain relievers should be used wisely and in extreme cases of pain and fever, consult with a doctor if there are any concerns relating to the matter.

About the Contributor

MacKenzie Comfort, Editor

MacKenzie Comfort is a junior at Sahuaro High School, and this is her first year in The Paper Cut and first year as an Editor. MacKenzie isn’t involved in any extra clubs, but she is excited to join the newspaper because she’s an extrovert who loves meeting people and engaging in gossip. She plays Volleyball here at Sahuaro and enjoys being at the net alongside her teammates. Movies and books are Mackenzie’s favorite media to pass the time; she loves Marvel, Harry Potter, and Star Wars. She considers herself a homebody and much prefers to stay home and watch movies, rather than going out with friends. She lives with only her mom but makes time to visit her siblings, considering them her greatest quality in life.

MacKenzie enjoys taking monthly trips to Los Angeles with her mother. They often visit Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. She frequently photographs her trips to share with friends and family on social media. MacKenzie’s favorite thing about her trips is the number of people she meets, including stunt actors, who have inspired her to explore that line of work. Although school is not MacKenzie’s favorite thing, she appreciates getting out of the house and is ready to quickly close this chapter and begin a new one in California. She intends on moving to Los Angeles , California, sometime after graduation, where she will take a gap year to save up money. With the money, she plans to attend a community college where she’ll major in Sports Medicine, and then she’ll see where the wind takes her!