DONALD Trump caused uproar this week when he claimed that pregnant women who take paracetamol are more likely to have an autistic child, telling mums-to-be to “fight like hell not to take it”.
Doctors, scientists and politicians slammed the US President as “dangerous” and “fear-mongering”, reassuring parents paracetamol is safe to take.
Doctors, scientists and politicians reassured pregnant women paracetamol is safe to take[/caption]
Donald Trump claimed that pregnant women who take paracetamol are more likely to have an autistic child[/caption]
Trump linked autism to Tylenol, the US brand name for paracetamol saying parents should not give it to children adding: “Ideally, you don’t take it at all”.
But at the Oval Office event, alongside his controversial anti-vax health secretary, Robert F Kennedy, no scientific evidence to prove any link between the everyday painkiller and the condition was given.
Campaigners condemned the comments and lack of proof – and also railed against the idea that autism can be prevented or cured, feeling Trump’s brazen remarks threaten to undo decades of progress.
Autism has been no barrier to success for many, with Tesla boss Elon Musk, Hollywood A-lister Anthony Hopkins and TV host Chris Packham all revealing they have Asperger’s syndrome – a kind of autism.
However, at the other end of the spectrum many with more severe forms live with learning difficulties and struggle to communicate, look after themselves or control their behaviour and emotions.
Experts agree the best way to improve the lives of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is to focus on managing them and adapting – not trying to eradicate or cure it.
For some, Trump’s remarks brought back memories of drastic and unfounded claims that it might be caused by “cold” parenting or the measles vaccine.
Professor David Mandell, of the University of Pennsylvania and Coalition of Autism Scientists in the US, tells The Sun: “The ‘refrigerator mothers’ theory that women who withheld affection from their children caused autism was absolute nonsense but it derailed the conversation and led to decades of institutionalism.
“Then, what turned out to be completely fabricated data about the MMR vaccine causing autism, that derailed the conversation again.
“I think this is the third big derailing.
“These pronouncements create tremendous anxiety and take attention away from things that are much more likely to be contributors to autism.”
The NHS says: “Nobody knows what causes autism, or if it has a cause.
“It can affect people in the same family, so it may sometimes be passed on to a child by their parents.
“Autism is not caused by bad parenting, not caused by vaccines, not linked to diet, not an infection you can spread to other people.”
So what could cause it? We examine some of the claims you might have heard…
Experts agree the best way to improve the lives of people with autism is to focus on managing them and adapting – not trying to eradicate or cure it[/caption]
‘IT’S GENETIC’
A PERSON’S genes are understood to be the single biggest factor in whether or not they develop autism.
Genes are passed down through families and range from causing severe development disorders, with autism as one of a number of disabilities, to just increasing the likelihood of a mild form of “high-functioning” Asperger’s syndrome.
There are estimated to be up to 1,000 genes that influence autistic disorders, and around 80 per cent of cases may be linked back to inherited DNA.
Dr Rebecca Ker, a psychologist at Carlton Psychology in Surrey, said: “It is largely genetic, and the best way to predict an autistic child is an autistic parent.
“But this does not happen every time so we do think there are some environmental risk factors as well as a genetic predisposition.”
It’s thought these environmental factors could trigger genetic mutations – changing the way specific genes work – in the womb, resulting in autism.
‘IT’S DUE TO PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS’
Studies have suggested that being obese might slightly raise the chance of having an autistic child[/caption]
STUDIES have suggested that being obese, stressed or having diabetes in pregnancy, for example – might raise the chance of having an autistic child.
This is because a less than optimal environment in the womb might affect the development of the foetus’ brain.
But Prof Mandell explains it is more likely autism may develop after a general complication, such as a traumatic or premature birth, rather than any specific habit or health issue.
He said: “Obesity and stress both seem to increase the risk slightly but it is tricky because they are linked to prematurity and obstetric complications, and they are much bigger drivers.”
A big concern about Trump’s paracetamol claim is that untreated pain or fever – the reasons women would take the pills – pose genuine and proven risks to the baby, while safe doses of paracetamol do not.
Key characteristics of autism
These are some features of autism that many people with it experience. Autism is a spectrum, so everyone shows symptoms differently.
Sensitive to senses
Autistic people can be much more or less sensitive than non-autistic people to the five main senses (sight, sound, touch, taste and smell).
This also extends to senses for balance, movement, spatial awareness and awareness of internal states, such as hunger and temperature.
Social differences
People with autism may find social interactions harder because they have difficulty; interpratiting social cues; facial expressions; maintaining eye contact; recognising sarcasm.
They may find tehy prefer to spend time alone because social interactions can be confusing.
Autism can be verbal (someone who uses communication) or non-verbal (they use other means to communicate). People can flit between the two.
Repetitive behaviours
‘Restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests’ is often listed as a trait of autism, but the National Autistic Society says many people with the condition actually find these behaviours as positive and helpful.
It is also sometimes referred to as stimming or self-regulatory behaviour.
Examples include having a strong passion or interest in a hobby, repeated behaviours like hair twirling or rocking, and preference for routine or rules to be followed.
Emotional dysregulation
People with autism may struggle to manage feelings such as frustration, anxiety, or sadness, which could lead to a ‘meltdown’ (extreme or intense outburst of emotions) or ‘shutdown’ (withdrawal).
Source: National Autistic Society
‘IT’S DOWN TO OLDER PARENTS’
SCIENTIFIC studies consistently suggest that older parents are more likely to have autistic children, with the link potentially stronger to older dads than mums.
A 2015 paper in the journal Molecular Psychiatry estimated that a mother in her 40s would be 15 per cent more likely to have a child with an autism spectrum disorder than a mother in her 20s.
The same study suggested a man over the age of 50 is 66 per cent more likely to father an autistic child than a man in his 20s.
A 2024 review of 41 previous studies, including the one above, suggested that older age of the parents might increase the chances by between 33 and 62 per cent.
The reasons are not certain but older mothers are generally more likely to have pregnancy complications.
Prof Mandell said: “The effect of the father’s age may be due to some degradation of the sperm.”
Parents in the UK are having babies later than in the past, with the average age of a first-time mother 29 in 2022, compared to 23 in 1972.
IT’S THE AIR WE BREATHE
A pregnant woman’s exposure to air pollution likely increases the chance the child will develop autism[/caption]
A MUM-TO-BE’S exposure to air pollution likely increases the chance a child will develop autism, research has shown.
Scientists cannot experiment on pregnant women so it is difficult to know which types of air pollution, or what level of exposure are most harmful, or the periods of pregnancy likely to be most critical.
A 2022 study by the University of Southern California found links between autism disorders and particles from smoke and traffic fumes, as well as ozone.
Prof Mandell said: “Studies consistently find associations with air pollution and people have suggested it may increase genetic mutations that contribute to autism.”
IT’S DOWN TO DIET
Eating loads of junk food is likely to raise the risk of pregnancy complications and, in turn, potentially autism disorders[/caption]
DIET is a hot topic and studies have suggested that eating too much ultra-processed food, such as crisps, cookies and cakes, during pregnancy might raise the chance of autism disorders.
Experts say the reality is there is not enough data to know either way.
Eating loads of junk food, drinking alcohol and not getting enough fruit, vegetables and vitamins, is generally unhealthy so is likely to raise the risk of pregnancy complications and, in turn, potentially autism disorders.
But there is no one diet or food that can increase or reduce the risk.
The NHS says simply: “Autism is not linked to diet.”
Prof Mandell said: Prof Mandell said: “It is highly unlikely that whatever diet the child receives increases risk for autism at all.
“There is no good data on the diet of the mother that would suggest any specific component is associated with autism, beyond things that increase the risk of general developmental delays, like alcohol.”
IT’S TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME
SCREEN time is a worry for parents as scientists often blast it as bad for a baby’s brain.
It has been linked with autism – but not proven to be a cause, as autism is understood to develop before a baby is born.
A 2024 study led by St Louis University found that children who spent the most time watching screens before age two were most likely to be diagnosed with autism by age 12.
Dr James Findon, of King’s College London, was not involved with the research but said: “This does not suggest causality.
“The results show us that autistic children are more likely to have higher screentime than their neurotypical peers.
“Screentime often gets bad press, but for many autistic children screentime can be beneficial.
“This might be because screentime helps them regulate their emotions and calms them during periods of sensory overload.”
‘NO EPIDEMIC AND NO SMOKING GUN’
OVERALL, there is little parents-to-be can do to specifically prevent their baby from being born with autism.
They should be as healthy as possible while conceiving and during the pregnancy because that reduces the risk of most complications and health issues – but there is a random or “luck” element to almost every medical condition and disease.
People cannot change their genetics so, if a disorder runs in the family, not much can be done about that element of risk.
Campaigners argue autism is not a condition to be cured or somehow cleaned out of society, and the focus should be on diagnosing early and getting the best support.
Dr Rebecca Ker said: “I find it alarming that Trump is shifting the rhetoric back towards curing and solving, when we should focus on improving the lives of people with autism.
“There is not an epidemic, we just have more people getting a diagnosis due to better information sharing.
“But here we are in 2025, back to blaming mothers.
“Autism is part of the human condition – we all have different strengths and it is a good thing that this diversity exists.”
Professor David Mandell added: “There is tension between some people wanting to prevent autism and some wanting to prevent the distress associated with it.
“We understand it a hell of a lot better than we did 25 years ago.
“Ultimately, there are many different types of autisms with different causes, and we have to separate those out but it’s very complicated.
“There is no single answer and there will be no smoking gun.”
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an incurable, lifelong developmental condition that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others.
It affects around one in 100 people in the UK and is three to four times more common in boys than in girls.
Many people with ASD find it hard to understand other people’s feelings and emotions, and they may have difficulty holding conversations.
When they are young, their language development may take longer and they can struggle to use facial expressions, using gestures to communicate instead.
They may also find it hard to connect with other people and to hold eye contact with unfamiliar individuals.
Many children with ASD like to follow a routine, and changes to this can cause distress.
High functioning autism is an informal term some people use to describe those on the autism spectrum disorder.
