President Donald Trump’s recent urging for women to avoid acetaminophen during pregnancy has drawn notable praise, and some caution, from parents in the autism community, who say more research and guidance are long overdue.
Parents Speak Out: “We’re Overdue, It’s Time We Know”
Karin York, a Phoenix-area mother of four, including two children with special needs, voiced appreciation for the administration’s attention to autism research. “I mean, it’s time. We’re overdue, it’s time we know,” said York, reacting to the announcement of new federal funding and a report linking autism to acetaminophen use during pregnancy.
Additionally, Laura Cellini’s son received a diagnosis of severe to moderate autism at the age of 27 months. As a parent deeply involved in autism advocacy and research, Laura has been vocal about autism being a spectrum of biological and clinical subtypes rather than a single static condition. Her work emphasizes understanding autism as a complex, treatable condition that involves multiple factors, including neurodivergence, immune aspects, and regressive patterns. Laura is also the founder and CEO of Elucidate ASD, an organization dedicated to advancing research and care for individuals with autism.
“Jonathan was exceptionally vulnerable, and no one recognized it,” Cellini told The Epoch Times. “Unfortunately, our story is not that unique. Many children with autism have underlying medical or biological vulnerabilities that can impact their developmental trajectory and response to environmental factors.”
Seeking Answers and Evidence
York’s and Cellini’s support echoes the sentiments of many parents who have long called for greater investment and urgency in autism research. The administration’s high-profile recommendation to limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary provided a sense of validation to some families. “Taking Tylenol is not good. All right. I’ll say it. It’s not good,” said President Trump at a recent press conference, underscoring the seriousness of the new guidance.
Cautious Optimism and Calls for Science
Experts and parent advocates, however, want to ensure that new research is robust and responsible, not rushed. Dr. Danny Openden, CEO and president of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, shared concerns on behalf of families invested in sound science: “We want to make sure that the quality of the research is there, that these studies are well designed, well controlled, peer reviewed in terms of what they’re doing and making sure that they are then going to inform people with the best available evidence.” He added, “What we don’t want to do is rush into potential answers that might be associated with autism or some small link, but are not actually related to the causality of autism.”
Looking Ahead
Research institutes and parent groups continue to advocate for rigorous, science-based studies. In the meantime, families are encouraged to consult with doctors before making changes to medication use in pregnancy. As York and other parents watch the Trump administration prioritize autism research, there’s hope that new answers and better guidance for future parents will emerge soon.
