ASI Wise, Sensory Project & Through the Senses

From Tylenol to the Next Myth:

How Therapists Can Provide Advocacy and Leadership in Refuting Unjustified Claims About Autism and other neurodiversity

Graphic with a purple and pink background. At the top left are two overlapping speech bubbles with the words “sensory project.” A purple megaphone points toward a white speech bubble in the centre. Large bold text inside reads: “IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT — From Tylenol to the Next Myth.” Below, smaller blue text says: “How Therapists Can Provide Advocacy and Leadership in Refuting Unjustified Claims About Autism.” Decorative gold stars and arrows surround the text. At the bottom are speech bubbles with the words “through the senses” and the website link: www.sensoryproject.org

The claim that paracetamol (Tylenol) causes autism has been repeated in headlines, soundbites and social media posts. But it is not true. Facts about neurodiversity matter, and as therapists, trusted by families and communities alike, we must provide advocacy and leadership in refuting this and all other unjustified myths—working alongside autistic people, parents, researchers and wider advocacy groups to ensure the facts are heard above the noise.

Autism was first described in 1943. Tylenol was not introduced until 1955. That simple timeline makes clear that autism cannot be “caused” by a medicine that did not even exist when the diagnosis was established. Yet despite this, myths persist, amplified by high-profile voices who overlook the evidence.

What the Evidence Actually Shows

Global health authorities reject a causal link. The World Health Organisation, NHS and American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists all confirm there is no conclusive evidence that acetaminophen in pregnancy causes autism. It remains the safest recommended medicine for pain and fever when used appropriately.
Large, carefully controlled studies find no association. Scandinavian register studies using sibling comparisons – a powerful way to separate genetic and environmental factors thatshow no link between paracetamol in pregnancy and autism, ADHD or intellectual disability.
Confounding factors explain much of the noise. Paracetamol is usually taken for fever or infection. Maternal fever itself is associated with higher risks for developmental conditions if left untreated. Removing safe treatment could, in fact, make outcomes worse.
Autism is overwhelmingly genetic. Twin and population studies demonstrate that autism is 70–90% heritable. That means a widely used over-the-counter medicine cannot be its primary cause.

How Therapists Can Make a Difference

Therapists bring unique expertise in development, sensory integration, communication and participation. Our role is not to lead alone, but to contribute our skills in partnership with others to ensure accurate information reaches families and communities. Here’s how:

Provide advocacy with facts. Share clear, accessible, evidence-based information that reassures families and counters misinformation.
Provide leadership in critical thinking. Model how to look at research with care, and show the difference between correlation and causation.
Strengthen trust in care. Collaborate with autistic people, families, and campaigners to ensure safe, effective treatments remain available and stigma is reduced.

Taking Action Together

This is not only about Tylenol. It is about the responsibility we all share to dismantle misinformation that damages lives—whether about autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, or any other neurodevelopmental condition. There will always be another myth waiting to take hold.

Therapists can play a vital part in a wider, collective effort for truth by providing advocacy and leadership in refuting unjustified myths.

Because facts matter, and so does every voice.

Sign up here for our webinar about providing advocacy leadership and come and make a plan to support people with sensory integration and processing differences with us. More mouths, more typing fingers matter. Let’s make a difference.

Five Practical Ways Therapists Can Respond to Autism Myths

Misinformation about autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions is damaging. It fuels guilt, spreads stigma and distracts from what really matters: supporting autistic people and their families. Therapists are well placed to help. Here are five practical ways we can respond when myths arise:

Share facts. Use clear, accessible language backed by evidence. Complex studies can be overwhelming—families need reassurance, not jargon.

Redirect the blame. Remind parents that autism is not caused by everyday medicines, foods or parenting choices. Shifting guilt away helps protect family well-being.

Model critical thinking. Show how to ask, “Is this correlation or causation?” and explain why good research matters.

Collaborate widely. Join voices with autistic people, parents, researchers and other advocates. Our role is to contribute, not dominate.

Stay prepared. Myths will keep coming; from Tylenol today to something else tomorrow. Keep resources ready to respond quickly with clarity and compassion.

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