Contrary to claims by Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that Tylenol causes autism, psychiatrists and psychologists had been studying autism decades before Tylenol was ever on store shelves.
One early example of autism history before Tylenol claims comes from 1921, reported in the Scranton (Pa.) Tribune article “Brain Power is Important Thing,” when Dr. Stewart Paton of Princeton University lectured at the Century Club about the importance of “right thinking” for mental balance and social progress.
“Autistic thinking is the oldest kind of thinking, guided by emotions, wishes and daydreams, while realistic thinking is governed by logic and facts,” Dr. Paton said.
He added that insanity began when people lost the ability to face reality, further underscoring that autism was being studied and documented as part of mainstream psychology long before Tylenol appeared.
Important Note: What the Science Says
Leading medical organizations and scientists reject a link between Tylenol (acetaminophen) and autism. In the days since the Sept. 23 press conference in which the Trump administration claimed Tylenol caused autism, several organizations have issued statements in response. Some of these include:
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: ACOG Affirms Safety and Benefits of Acetaminophen during Pregnancy
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine: SMFM Response to Administration Announcement on Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Autism
- Austism Science Foundation: ASF Statement on White House Announcement on Autism
Patients should consult their doctors with any questions about taking acetaminophen during pregnancy.
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