Washington, D.C. – National Parents Union Keri Rodrigues released this statement following the Trump Administration’s comments, falsely linking Tylenol to autism.
“As parents, and specifically as parents of children with autism, we are beyond outraged by the Trump Administration’s reckless and harmful claims that Tylenol causes autism.
First, the deficit-based descriptions of our children are unacceptable. Our children are not broken or deficient, they are brilliant, unique, and deserving of dignity and opportunity.
Second, the continued blaming of mothers is disgusting. This toxic rhetoric heaps shame on families who are already doing everything they can to support their children. To vilify parents, especially mothers, while offering no researched backed solutions is beneath the office of the presidency.
We are horrified that the Administration, led by Secretary Kennedy, would discard decades of peer-reviewed medical research in favor of conspiracy theories and misinformation. This is not leadership, it is dangerous negligence that puts our children in danger.
The stakes could not be higher. When political leaders substitute ideology for science, children will not get the therapies, services, and supports they need and worse, children could die as a direct result of this failure. Families deserve real answers and real investments in meeting the needs of children, not scapegoating, conspiracy theories, and blame. And public health policies should be based on evidence-backed research – not the personal feelings of the President who is not a medical doctor.
The National Parents Union stands with families of children with autism across this country. We will not allow harmful myths, dangerous politics, or deficit-based rhetoric to define our children or dictate their futures.”
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