On September 22, 2025, President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new initiatives aimed at addressing the rising prevalence of autism in the United States. They proposed that the FDA issue a warning about a potential link between acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting this claim. Additionally, they endorsed leucovorin, a folic acid derivative, as a treatment for autism symptoms, though its effectiveness remains unproven. These proposals have sparked significant controversy and criticism from the medical community. Experts argue that such statements are not supported by scientific data and could potentially harm public health by spreading misinformation. The Autism Science Foundation has expressed concern that this announcement distracts from the urgent scientific work needed to understand the true causes of autism and to develop better supports and interventions for autistic individuals and their families. They emphasize that autism is the result of a complex mix of genetics and environmental factors, and that hundreds of genes have been linked to autism, with inherited or spontaneous changes in these genes altering brain development. People with autism and their families have also found the Trump-Kennedy message harmful and wrong, stating that it perpetuates negative stereotypes and fails to recognize the strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals. #news #Newsone #AutismAwareness #TrumpKennedy #PublicHealth #MedicalControversy #AutismResearch #HealthNews #ScientificIntegrity #Neurodiversity
