Q: I’ve heard that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy might cause autism. Is this true, and what do we know about the causes of autism?

A: This is an important and timely question. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), there is no reliable scientific evidence that acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes autism. In fact, in more than two decades of research, no reputable study has proven a causal link between acetaminophen use and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. The two highest-quality studies on this topic—including one published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found no significant association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability.

ACOG emphasizes that suggestions of such a link can be harmful because acetaminophen is often the safest and most effective option for treating fever, headaches, or pain during pregnancy. Untreated conditions such as maternal fever or preeclampsia can pose far greater risks to both the mother and baby than acetaminophen itself. Dr. Charna Coren states on her Instagram handle @the.vag.doc, “Tylenol is not the problem in pregnancy.” She goes on to share that Tylenol will be what will help women if they have a fever while pregnant. She goes on to emphasize… “Tylenol is OK.  Why can I say this, because I have an entire career that’s based on evidence based medicine and there’s so many people on here just like me who know, fact, Tylenol is not the problem.”

When it comes to autism, experts agree there is no single cause. Research shows that autism is influenced by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors, not one specific medication or exposure.

If you are currently pregnant or you have concerns about your child’s development, there are several actionable steps you can take. Here are a few:

• If you are currently pregnant, talk to your OBGYN or Midwife for guidance. 

• Watch for early signs such as delayed speech, limited eye contact, or difficulty engaging socially.

• Talk to your pediatrician if you notice developmental differences.

• Access educational support services such as early intervention programs through your local school systems!  Each school system has an early intervention team that will provide a free screening or assessment. School systems should be able to provide parent training, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and special education services if your child qualifies.
• Seek a medical evaluation; early diagnosis opens the door to services that can make a significant difference. Start with your pediatrician; you may need to speak to a developmental pediatrician. To receive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, a medical diagnosis of Autism is required.  This can be obtained by a medical provider such as a developmental psychologist.  For more information of who can provide these evaluations, please contact STEPS Behavioral Health. office@stepsbcba.com

For families who suspect their child may have autism, reaching out early for support is the most important step. If you need help getting started, your pediatrician, school system, or local autism support organizations can guide you toward the right resources.

The most important take away is to not blame yourself!  Parents have plenty of things to worry about and throwing another dart towards blaming mothers for their child’s disability shouldn’t be one of them. Find your people, build a strong support system.  You will need all the support you can get.  Your child is LUCKY to have you and you are just as LUCKY to have your child!  

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2025, September). ACOG affirms safety, benefits of acetaminophen in pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2025/09/acog-affirms-safety-benefits-acetaminophen-pregnancy

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, April 15). Clinical screening for autism spectrum disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/screening.html

Coren, C. [@thevagdoc]. (2025, September 23). [Reel video]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DO886dAgLzq/