President Trump announced actions his administration is taking to identify the causes of autism in children and potential treatment options. Trump also raised related concerns about the safety of medications containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, during pregnancy, as well as the safety of childhood vaccines. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., also touted the use of the drug leucovorin as a treatment for autism. On September 22, 2025, SciLine hosted a media availability with Dr. Brian Lee, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Drexel University.
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Click for transcribed SOT (can be used as-is or modified)
SOT Duration: 0:52 Super: Dr. Brian Lee – Professor, Drexel University
“I think what people should take away from all of this is that physicians remain the sort of the keystone in terms of being the best source of information because they are the ones who have to process the scientific information. The average American out there shouldn’t have to deal with that responsibility. So talk to your physician if you have questions. And ask questions, I think that’s the number one recommendation. But the bottom line so far is that unless there’s new evidence that’s coming out to say otherwise, the expert clinical bodies out there do not have any, do not find any strong reason to believe that Acetaminophen causes autism or ADHD.”
Raw, full-length interview and transcript covers:
What is known about whether there is any link between autism and the use of acetaminophen (also called paracetamol and sold under brand names including Tylenol) during pregnancy;
What is known about whether there is any link between autism and vaccine administration during pregnancy;
What is known about using folic acid, or derivatives such as leucovorin, to treat or manage autism;
What is known about the increase in rates of autism diagnosis over time;
The relative risks to a fetus of a mother having untreated fever during pregnancy or using Tylenol to treat it; and
His other research on how maternal medication use during pregnancy affects children’s neurodevelopmental outcomes.
