Neurodivergence Acceptance: Moving Beyond the “Cause and Cure” Narrative

Today’s press event claimed that acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the “leading cause” of autism. That isn’t true. Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference, not a defect to eliminate. Statements like this stir up fear and shame, especially for autistic people and for pregnant patients who are already making careful, personal health decisions. (AP News)

What we know from the best science so far is that there isn’t one single cause of autism. Genetics play a strong role, and environment interacts in complex ways — but there’s no simple culprit and no cure. One of the largest studies ever, looking at more than two million births in Sweden, found no increase in autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability when researchers compared siblings — meaning earlier hints from smaller studies were likely due to other factors, like the fever or illness that led someone to take the medication in the first place. (JAMA Network)

Major medical groups continue to say that acetaminophen is still an appropriate first-line option for pain or fever in pregnancy when used as directed, because untreated fever can carry risks of its own. Today, both ACOG and SMFM reiterated that the evidence does not show acetaminophen causes autism. If you’re pregnant, these choices deserve a conversation with your OB/GYN — not a reaction to headlines. (ACOG)

Some agencies also talked about reviewing labels or alerting clinicians. Even if labels change, that doesn’t transform weak or inconsistent associations into proof. It should be communicated with care so people don’t avoid safe fever control out of fear. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

This kind of rhetoric is harmful because it sends autistic people the message, “you are a mistake to fix,” which increases pressure to mask who they are. Research has linked lower acceptance and more camouflaging to worse mental health for autistic adults; acceptance and belonging genuinely support well-being. (PMC)

There’s harm for pregnant patients, too. Scare-messaging about a common first-line medication can push people toward suffering through pain or fever, or toward riskier alternatives, which goes against mainstream medical guidance. Plain-language explainers this week make the same point: correlation isn’t causation, and doctors may even recommend acetaminophen for fever because fever itself can be dangerous in pregnancy. (PBS)

Today’s event also repeated the long-debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. They don’t. Decades of careful research show no link between vaccines and autism. Repeating this myth puts public health at risk and drags attention away from what actually helps autistic people thrive. (CDC)

If today’s headlines brought up worry or anger, you’re not alone. The path forward is acceptance and practical support: asking autistic people what feels regulating and respectful, creating sensory-aware spaces, honoring different communication styles, and measuring “success” by well-being and access — not by how “typical” someone looks. I’m here for thoughtful, science-grounded conversations about neurodivergence and support that honors people as they are.

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Sources and further reading (science and clinical guidance)

• Ahlqvist et al., 2024 (JAMA): Sibling-control study of 2.4M Swedish births — no increased risk of autism/ADHD with prenatal acetaminophen use in sibling analyses. Read the study. (JAMA Network)

• NIH news release on the Swedish study: No causal link found when accounting for familial factors; importance of confounding explained. Read the summary. (National Institutes of Health (NIH))

• Karolinska Institutet/Drexel write-up: Largest epidemiologic analysis to date — no association in sibling-matched design. Read KI news and Drexel news. (Karolinska Institutet News)

• ACOG: Clinical FAQ and statement — science does not support claims that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism; acetaminophen remains appropriate for pain/fever when indicated. Read ACOG and news release. (ACOG)

• SMFM: Review of evidence — no causal relationship established; recommendations unchanged. Read SMFM response. (SMFM)

• CDC: Vaccines do not cause autism. Autism and vaccines. (CDC)

• Same-day news context on the press event and its claims: (AP News)

Educational note: This post is for general information and advocacy only. If you’re pregnant and have questions about fever or pain, please talk with your OB/GYN about options that are safe for you.

• AP News

• The Washington Post

• Politico

• theguardian.com