Positive Support Group (PSG) – Position Statement on Recent Claims Linking Paracetamol (Tylenol) and Autism

26 Sept

At Positive Support Group (PSG), we have extensive experience in supporting the well-being of children, young people and families through evidence-based, person-centred practice. As part of this commitment, we actively challenge misinformation that could undermine public confidence in healthcare or contribute to harmful misconceptions about autistic people and their families.

Recent public statements suggesting links between autism and either paracetamol (Tylenol) use during pregnancy or childhood vaccinations are not supported by scientific evidence.

While a few observational studies (e.g., Ji et al., 2020; Bauer et al., 2018) have reported associations between prenatal paracetamol exposure and later autism diagnoses, these findings are inconsistent and likely influenced by confounding factors. In contrast, large-scale cohort studies from Denmark (Liew et al., 2016) and Sweden (Ahlqvist et al., 2024) have found no robust evidence of a causal relationship.

Similarly, extensive research has shown that vaccines are not associated with autism. Large systematic reviews and cohort studies (Taylor et al., 2014; Jain et al., 2015) consistently confirm there is no link between vaccination and autism.

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental difference with genetic and multifactorial influences. It is not caused by a single medication or medical intervention.

The Harm of Misinformation

Unfounded claims about the causes of autism can be damaging. They risk:

Spreading misconceptions about autistic people and their families
Distracting from the real priorities: improving support, inclusion, and life outcomes
Discouraging safe medical decisions during pregnancy, with potential for wider health harms

Our Position

Positive Support Group (PSG) stands firmly with autistic people and their families.

We call for:

Evidence-based public health communication that is clear, proportionate,and transparent about scientific uncertainty
Investment in inclusion and support in our communities, rather than indebunked or speculative theories
A respectful, accurate, and inclusive public dialogue about autism

As an organisation, we remain focused on delivering high-quality, trauma-informed, positive behaviour support for autistic children and young people. We are committed to amplifying their voices, promoting understanding and inclusion, and challenging misinformation wherever it arises, so that autistic people and their families can thrive.

References

Ahlqvist, V., Magnusson, C., Dalman, C., Rai, D., Lee, B.K., Larsson, H., et al. (2024). Acetaminophen use during pregnancy and children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability: A nationwide sibling control study. JAMA Psychiatry, 81(6),524–532.

Bauer, A. Z., Kriebel, D., Herbert, M. R., Bornehag, C.-G. & Swan, S. H. (2018). Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: A review. Hormones and Behavior, 101, 125–147.

Jain, A., Marshall, J., Buikema, A., Bancroft, T., Kelly, J. P., & Newschaffer, C. J. (2015). Autism occurrence by MMR vaccine status among US children with older siblings with and without autism. Jama, 313(15), 1534-1540.  

Ji, Y., Azuine, R., Zhang, Y., Hou, W., Hong, X., Wang, G., et al. (2020). Association of cord plasma biomarkers of in utero acetaminophen exposure with risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in childhood. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(2), 180–189.

Liew, Z., Ritz, B., Virk, J. & Olsen, J. (2016). Maternal use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorders in childhood: A Danish national birth cohort study. Autism Research, 9(9), 951–958.

Taylor, L.E., Swerdfeger, A.L. & Eslick, G.D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623–3629.