The Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) rejects recent comments from senior federal officials suggesting that acetaminophen (Tylenol) or its ingredients are linked to the cause of autism. These claims are not supported by scientific consensus. They risk spreading fear and misinformation among families who need facts, not speculation. We encourage all to seek advice and recommendations from your licensed medical professional when making health-related decisions.

If the current Administration truly wants to improve outcomes for people with autism and their families, it should focus on restoring and strengthening Medicaid. They should work to expand home and community-based services, invest in rigorous, ethical research, and support the direct support workforce that provides essential daily support to hundreds of thousands of children and adults with autism.

Direct support professionals champion policies grounded in science, compassion, and respect, and we urge federal leaders to do the same.

Our Colleagues at The Arc US shared the following links to factual information regarding autism.

• Vaccines do not cause autism. Decades of rigorous, global research involving millions of children and adults have confirmed no link between vaccines and autism.
• The largest study on acetaminophen use during pregnancy found no evidence supporting an increased chance of autism.
• Current research shows that autism has no single cause. Instead, it likely results from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental influences.
• The rise in autism diagnoses reflects both broader diagnostic criteria and better awareness and screening, not an epidemic.