A public figure from a reality television series has publicly challenged recent statements made by a former U.S. president regarding the causes of autism. The comments, which suggested a link between the condition and the use of the common pain reliever acetaminophen, have been labeled as misinformation.
The television personality, who is a mother to a young son diagnosed with autism, responded to a social media clip of the political figure’s remarks. She pointed out that historical records of autism predate the invention of the medication in question. “There are many children on the spectrum who never had vaccines or whose mothers didn’t take [acetaminophen] while pregnant,” she wrote, emphasizing the complexity of the condition’s origins.
She acknowledged the ongoing research into autism but stressed that families deserve accurate information. “I am thankful autism is being looked into… but our children are wonderful and deserve better than misinformation,” her statement concluded.
The controversial assertions were made during a recent press conference, where the political figure advised pregnant women against using the over-the-counter drug, despite citing official guidelines that recommend only limiting use when not medically necessary. He framed his advice as “common sense” rather than a presentation of established scientific data.
The mother had previously shared her family’s journey, revealing her son’s autism diagnosis earlier this year. She described noticing developmental changes, including a regression in speech around age two, which led to early intervention therapies. While her son is largely non-verbal, she expressed a profound connection with him, stating she feels “meant to be his mom” and that they communicate deeply despite the challenges.
The exchange highlights ongoing public debates about health information, the interpretation of scientific evidence, and the personal experiences of families navigating autism diagnoses.
