Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh (AMASE) are deeply concerned about the continued misinformation put out by the US Administration. As well as the debunked and false narrative linking vaccines and autism, we have now recently seen the claim that taking paracetamol (acetaminophen or Tylenol in the USA), when pregnant causes autism. This is another false and harmful statement that lacks scientific support.
Paracetamol has been widely studied, and high-quality studies show that there is no link between paracetamol and autism. In particular, one extensive Swedish study between 1995-2019, which looked at 2.4 million births and used sibling data, found no relationship between use of paracetamol in pregnancy and subsequent autism, ADHD or intellectual disability. Paracetamol is considered one of the safest forms of pain relief for pregnant people when used as directed. Furthermore, autism is highly hereditary, with studies suggesting it is 80-90% genetic.
Misinformation of this kind is not just inaccurate; it has real consequences and risks:
- Increasing fear and stigma around autism, framing it as something to be prevented or feared.
- Causing unnecessary worry and guilt for pregnant people who need safe pain relief.
- Risking considerable harm to the unborn child and parent through untreated pain and fevers where medication is avoided.
- Distracting attention from the real challenges autistic people face — barriers to support, lack of understanding, and systemic inequalities.
We want to be completely clear: autism is not caused by paracetamol, and people should continue to follow NHS medical advice. What autistic people need is real understanding, equality, and meaningful support.
Spreading falsehoods about autism undermines public understanding, fuels stigma, and damages trust in healthcare.
AMASE, alongside other organisations, has been asked to meet with Scottish Government representatives to look at ways to dismantle misinformation such as this. We welcome this and will continue to challenge damaging myths wherever they appear. Our focus, as always, is on building a society where autistic people are accepted and supported, and where families are given factual, evidence-based information free from fearmongering.
Autism is not something to be cured or prevented — it is an integral part of who we are.