WASHINGTON â President Donald Trump on Monday used the platform of the presidency to promote unproven and in some cases discredited ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism as his administration announced a wide-ranging effort to study the causes of the complex brain disorder.
President Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Monday in Washington, as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz listen.
"Don't take Tylenol," Trump instructed pregnant women about a dozen times during the unwieldy White House news conference, also urging mothers not to give their infants the drug, known by the generic name acetaminophen.
He also fueled long-debunked claims that ingredients in vaccines or timing shots close together could contribute to rising rates of autism in the U.S., without providing medical evidence.
The rambling announcement, which appeared to rely on existing studies rather than significant new research, comes as the Make America Healthy Again movement has been pushing for answers on the causes of autism. The diverse coalition of supporters of Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. includes several anti-vaccine activists who have long spread debunked claims that immunizations are responsible.
The announcement also sheds light on Trump's own long-held fascination with autism and his trepidation about the childhood vaccine schedule, even as the president took pride in his work to disseminate COVID-19 vaccines during his first term.
Medical experts said Trump's remarks were irresponsible. New York University bioethicist Art Caplan said it was "the saddest display of a lack of evidence, rumors, recycling old myths, lousy advice, outright lies and dangerous advice I have ever witnessed by anyone in authority."
Trump announced during the event that the Food and Drug Administration would begin notifying doctors that the use of acetaminophen "can be associated" with an increased risk of autism, but did not immediately provide justification for the new recommendation.
Some studies raised the possibility that taking acetaminophen, also known by the brand name Tylenol, during pregnancy might increase the risk of autism â but many others haven't found that concern, said autism expert David Mandell of the University of Pennsylvania.
One challenge is that it's hard to disentangle the effects of Tylenol use from the effects of high fevers during pregnancy. Fevers, especially in the first trimester, can increase the risk for miscarriages, preterm birth and other problems, according to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
Responding to Trump's warnings, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine said they still recommend Tylenol as an appropriate option to treat fever and pain during pregnancy.
The president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said Monday that suggestions that Tylenol use in pregnancy causes autism are "irresponsible when considering the harmful and confusing message they send to pregnant patients."
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary also took the stage to announce it will take the first steps to try to approve a folic acid metabolite called leucovorin as a treatment option for patients believed to have low levels of folate in the brain. That could include some people with autism.
Leucovorin is used to counteract the side effects of various prescription drugs, including chemotherapy and other high-dose medications that can negatively impact the immune system. It works by boosting folate levels, a form of vitamin B that's critical to the body's production of healthy red blood cells.
Women already are told to take folic acid before conception and during pregnancy because it reduces the chances of certain birth defects known as neural tube defects.
In recent years a handful of studies suggested positive results when high-dose folic acid is used to treat children with autism, with researchers in China and other countries reporting improvements in social skills and other metrics. Those small studies have been quickly embraced by some parts of the autism community online.
The theory is that some, not all, children with autism may not properly metabolize folate, Mandell said. But the recent studies "are really tiny," he said. To prove an effect, "we would need an independent, large, rigorously controlled randomized trial."
During the news conference, Trump said he's a believer in vaccines but claimed without evidence that giving vaccinations close together at the recommended ages has a link to autism. Spacing out shots as he suggests can lead to an increased risk that children become infected with a vaccine-preventable disease before returning for another visit.
Though anti-vaccine activists, including Kennedy, long suggested a link between vaccines and autism, widespread scientific consensus and decades of studies firmly concluded there isn't one.
Autism is not a disease but a complex developmental condition that affects different people in different ways. It can include delays in language, learning or social and emotional skills. For some people, profound autism means being nonverbal and having intellectual disabilities, but the vast majority of people with autism experience far milder effects.
The disorder affects 1 in 31 U.S. children today, a sharp rise from just a few years ago, according to the CDC. Experts say the increase is mainly due to a new definition for the disorder that now includes mild cases on a âspectrumâ and better diagnoses. They say there is no single cause to the disorder and say the rhetoric appears to ignore and undermine decades of science into the genetic and environmental factors that can play a role.
The announcement is the latest step the administration, driven by Kennedy and his supporters, has taken to reshape Americaâs public health landscape.
Beyond cutbacks at federal health agencies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been roiled by disagreements over Kennedyâs vaccine policies. An influential immunization panel stocked by Kennedy with figures who have been critical of vaccines last week changed shot guidance for COVID-19 and other diseases.
Is it autism, a learning disability, or both?
Is it autism, a learning disability, or both?
Updated
If you're autistic, you're more likely to have a learning disability than the general public. In fact, around 30% of autistic people also have a learning disability. But being autistic doesn't mean you're bound to have a learning disability, Rula reports. Â
The signs of learning disabilities and autism can look similar, which means it can be tricky to recognize the differences between them. Empowering yourself with knowledge about autism and learning disabilities can help you get the support you deserve. Â
Key Takeaways
- Autism isn't a learning disability. But autism and learning disabilities can share some characteristics.
- The process for getting diagnosed with autism is separate from the process of getting diagnosed with a learning disability.
- Certain learning disabilities are more likely to occur with autism.
How can autism impact learning?
Autism isn't classified as a learning disability, but it can affect learning. The two main ways that autism can affect the way a person learns are:
Executive functioningÂ
Executive function can be a challenge for people with autism. In school, this might look like an autistic student who struggles to grasp abstract concepts, like metaphors or certain math concepts. They could also have trouble with an essay assignment that requires them to imagine and describe a utopian world.Â
Executive functioning also helps people pay attention and follow directions that include multiple steps. This skill can especially help when there are distractions, like in a chemistry lab that's frequently interrupted by disruptive students. This doesn't mean that autistic people can't learn or master a chemistry experiment, for example. But it could be more difficult or require a change to more optimal conditions for some people.
Difficulty understanding communication norms
The way neurotypical people socialize can be unnatural or a burden for autistic people. For example, eye contact during a conversation or indirect communication is considered the default for most of society. These unspoken expectations can sometimes cause an autistic student to miss out on valuable learning in situations like group work or class discussions.Â
What's the difference between a learning disorder and autism?
Generally, signs of autism emerge during the first two years of a child's life. As a parent, observing your child might seem like just part of your job. If your child is autistic, these observations can also help your child receive an autism diagnosis.Â
If your child experiences certain signs to an extent that interferes with their ability to move through life, they may have autism. These signs include:
- Experiencing persistent communication and relational difficulties
- Having restricted interests
- Engaging in repetitive behaviors (known as stimming)Â
But it's not just on you to figure this out. A qualified health provider, like a doctor or psychologist, will observe your child before making a diagnosis. They might call their name to see how they react or notice if they engage in imaginative play, like playing with stuffed animals or interacting with an imaginary friend. Â
It's also important to rule out any vision or hearing impairments that could explain autism signs. For this reason, a professional may test your child's vision and hearing. Â
What kinds of therapies can support autistic people?
Several types of therapy can help an autistic person better function in a world created by and for neurotypical people. These approaches include:
- Speech and language therapy: If your autistic child or loved one has difficulties with speech, this type of therapy can help them better understand speech and language.Â
- Occupational therapy: Some autistic people require support to learn skills needed for independent living. Occupational therapy teaches skills like getting dressed, eating, bathing, and social skills.
- Sensory integration therapy: Sometimes part of occupational therapy, this kind of therapy can teach autistic people how to better manage sensory triggers, like loud noises or bright lights.Â
- Physical therapy: Occupational therapy can also include physical therapy, which involves improving physical skills, like moving different parts of the body.Â
How are children diagnosed with learning disabilities?
Noticing a learning disability can also hinge on careful observation, often done in school. There are two different ways for schools to test children for learning disabilities:
- Response-to-intervention model: This model checks how students respond to different learning interventions. Then, the school notes which ones a child has difficulty with. Students' progress is continuously monitored, and adjustments are made as needed. If a student doesn't respond positively to the intervention, they may be diagnosed with a learning disability.Â
- Severe discrepancy model: With this model, a qualified professional â usually a school psychologist â evaluates a child's general abilities or IQ. Their results are compared to those of other kids their age, along with the child's academic skills. If there's a big difference between these scores, this could indicate the presence of a learning disability.
  "From my clinical experience, I've found that external factors play a huge role in how people with learning disabilities or autism manage their symptoms," says Elise Miller, MA, LPC. "This can be true when the client is a child, and parents and teachers have a huge amount of influence over their daily experience. And it can also be true for adults who are shaping their own supportive environment. For example, I have a client who benefits greatly from being able to work remotely in her quiet home with lower sensory stimuli."
How are learning disabilities treated?
Treating a learning disability depends on the condition and the child's unique needs. But, generally, treatment can include:
- Special education: A child with a learning disability may benefit from this tailored and individualized teaching and support that, under most circumstances, takes place in the same classroom as kids without learning disabilities.Â
- Speech and language therapy: Kids with learning disabilities might need speech and language therapy, just like autistic children. It can help them catch up or ensure that they don't fall behind in areas like reading, talking, and writing.Â
Which learning disabilities are associated with autism?
Although anyone can have a learning disability, certain ones occur more frequently in people with autism. These include:
DyscalculiaÂ
Certain learning disabilities, like dyscalculia, occur more frequently in autistic people. People with dyscalculia usually have trouble grasping math and number concepts, like that the number "4" is the same as the word "four." Issues with counting, subtraction and addition, and recognizing basic patterns can also be signs of dyscalculia.Â
DyslexiaÂ
Dyslexia and autism can also go hand in hand. Dyslexia affects the part of the brain that processes language used in skills like reading comprehension. Some people with dyslexia say it feels like words don't stay in place on the page.Â
Autistic people with dyslexia may experience both communication barriers and trouble with social interactions. Often, autistic people don't naturally conform to the social expectations of neurotypical people. When these two difficulties combine, it can mean that autistic people are unable to express themselves how they want to. This can greatly impact their relationships.Â
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is both a learning disability and a neurological condition that makes it hard for people to convert thoughts into writing. Adults usually notice it in children when they're first learning to write. The condition commonly occurs alongside autism. Â
It can manifest in different ways because writing involves many different skills. For example, a person with dysgraphia may have trouble with spelling and have shaky or illegible handwriting, as the condition can affect motor skills (like holding a pencil steadily). Dysgraphia is common, with up to 10% of people experiencing it.
Supportive strategies for autism and learning disabilities
Updated
Managing co-occurring autism and a learning disability can take practice. Here are some helpful strategies:
- Maintain a regular routine and schedule. Autistic people can feel supported by consistency in their routines and daily schedules.
- Use visual aids. Visual aids and images can help with instruction, as traditional communication can be difficult for some autistic people.
- Create a supportive environment. Strategies like positive reinforcement can help autistic people who also have learning disabilities thrive.Â
- Remove sensory triggers or add sensory aids, when possible. It's common for many autistic people to be over or underwhelmed by certain sensory input, like certain textures or sounds.Â
This story was produced by Rula and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
