No, Tylenol Doesn't Cause Autism

My son has autism.

I've written about it for years. I've shared our struggles and worries. 

You see, my son Tommy was born with autism. It was genetics. Vaccines didn't cause it. And Tylenol didn't cause it and I know this for a fact, as I never took Tylenol. I was 19 and broke. I don't think I could even afford Tylenol. 

My family is quirky. Heck, back in the day a woman in my family line was accused of being a witch. 

We can be bizarre. We get vocal stims. We are particular about foods. (I cannot do seafood. It's the texture. Tommy cannot do certain types of chicken.) 

We get obsessed with certain subjects for a while before moving on. (Me? Titanic. Tommy? The weather. He could tell you all about the different clouds at one point. Natalie? Wham!) 

I'm sure you've seen the headlines where the current president ambled over to the microphone and warned that Tylenol could cause autism.

He's incorrect. I'm sure you've seen how Tylenol wasn't even around when the first person was diagnosed with autism. 

I'm sure you've seen this:

And I'm sure you've seen people argue that Tylenol said this in 2017:

Last I checked, all medications should be cleared by a doctor while pregnant. I was too young and afraid to take anything. 

Moms, I'm just here to say that you did not cause your child's autism. If you took Tylenol, you did nothing wrong. Please do not allow the announcement to make you feel guilty. 

My son has autism. And he's a senior in college living on his own in a dorm. He has a job. He gets good grades. He's sweet, he's polite, he graduated community college with honors. He makes incredible videos. 

Sure he might struggle with social cues and he's never had a girlfriend--but he's one of my favorite humans in the entire world. He taught me patience. He taught me hope. 

Now, release the Epstein files.