President Trump has raised a controversial question: Should pregnant women take painkillers such as Tylenol?

President Donald Trump recently stated that pregnant women should avoid Tylenol, claiming it is responsible for the increasing autism rates in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, has not confirmed any such causal link between painkiller use during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.

Could there really be an autism “epidemic” contributing to higher rates? According to research conducted by the Bloomberg School of Public Health, there are two main reasons for the increase in autism diagnoses.

First, the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder has broadened over time, encompassing a wider range of symptoms and levels of support needs. This means that more individuals now meet the diagnostic criteria than in the past. Second, greater awareness and improved screening efforts have played a major role. Public health programs have encouraged more accurate autism screenings at earlier ages, while parents and communities have become more informed about the signs and more comfortable seeking help.

Autism research centers emphasize that there is no scientific evidence showing that painkillers taken during pregnancy directly cause autism. Any potential associations found in studies tend to be small and inconclusive.

Many students are understandably surprised by these claims, reflecting the gap between public perception and scientific evidence. A junior from Wayne Hills commented, “I take Tylenol all the time—I never thought something like this could even be a concern.”

Overall, experts agree that while autism diagnoses have risen, the increase is largely due to improved recognition and broader diagnostic criteria—not the use of medications like Tylenol during pregnancy.