Opinion: So what about Tylenol causing autism?

Let’s talk about autism — what it is and what it isn’t.
As a graduate student in clinical-community psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage, I feel it is important to decode scientific information into something more publicly accessible. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder defined as marked difficulty in social interaction and communication, accompanied by repetitive behaviors or interests, commonly known as a “hyperfixation.” It is a spectrum because people with autism vary in the severity of their challenges, strengths and support needs.
Understanding autism matters everywhere, but it matters especially here in Alaska. Our state covers vast distances and rural areas, making it hard to access health care at times. When misleading claims circulate, they spread like wildfire, quickly reaching communities and instilling fear, especially when aimed at pregnancy. Social media, like Facebook and TikTok, are important informational avenues in rural areas and can shape real decisions about pregnancy and early childhood care.
One of the more recent myths is that acetaminophen (commonly known by the brand name Tylenol) causes autism. Scientific research does not show any evidence that suggests Tylenol causes autism.
Over the past decade, several articles have been published that report statistical associations between prenatal acetaminophen use and a later diagnosis of ADHD or autism; however, association is not the same as causation. For example, there is a correlation between ice cream consumption and crime rates, but one does not cause the other; they are linked by a separate factor. During pregnancy, people are often prescribed Tylenol as a fever reducer, when fever itself is a risk factor to the fetus. It seems easy to blame the use of medication taken during a risky condition and to fault a woman for her decision to keep herself and her child safe.
Earlier this year, the White House released an article that presents correlational studies as if they establish a definitive causal relationship. It cites large cohort studies — meaning big samples of people — that reported statistical associations. These studies do not account for key confounding variables (differences that exist between individuals and their situations, like genetics, family environment, underlying illness and fever). The fact is, not a single cited study looks at the development of autism alone as the outcome. One study looks strictly at the rates of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), four look at the rates of both ASD and ADHD, and two don’t look at rates of neurodevelopmental disorders at all.
This oversimplification — that Tylenol use during pregnancy causes ASD — is not only scientifically inaccurate, but it is also harmful. Pregnant people deserve evidence-based information, not fear-driven headlines.
This matters for Alaska, as our state already faces long waitlists for neurodevelopmental assessments, limited access to health care and geographic barriers. When misinformation spreads, it can discourage pregnant people from using safe medications and worsen the stigma around autism. In a place where routine medical care may require a flight, misinformation isn’t just inconvenient, it is dangerous.
Psychologists and medical associations, including the American Psychiatric Association, do not support the claim that acetaminophen causes autism and urge pregnant individuals to consult their health care providers. As the APA notes, “Autism is a complex disorder, and it is incorrect to imply that a handful of studies have established causation. A strong base of evidence shows that acetaminophen, when taken as directed, is safe for use during pregnancy.”
Ashton LeKites is a doctoral student in the University of Alaska Anchorage Ph.D. program in clinical-community psychology that has a cultural, rural and indigenous emphasis. Her research interests focus on the needs of Alaskans.