Graphic showing a colorful artistic rendering of neurons with long branching extensions. The neuron bodies are highlighted in bright rainbow colors of blue, green, yellow, and red against a blurred multicolored background.
Many in our office like playing the online New York Times game Connections. If you haven’t played it, the objective is to identify, out of sixteen words, groups of four that go together. Some are easy, and some require a creativity/intelligence that I don’t always possess.
As I try to design a game of my own, here is one grouping of four that I have penned:
Tylenol
Vaccines
Prematurity
Age
What do they have in common? Each is an unproven causes of autism.
In recent years, the incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown a noticeable increase. No singular cause has been identified, though some would attribute this rise, in large part, to greater awareness, improved diagnostic criteria, and broader recognition of the condition’s diverse presentations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2024, roughly 1 in 36 children in the United States is identified as having ASD, a significant shift from earlier decades when the condition was less well understood and less frequently diagnosed.
With that being said, let’s look at each of these “reported” causes in a little more detail.
Tylenol. This is the most recent unsupported cause. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine has affirmed that “acetaminophen is safe and recommended for use in pregnancy.” The largest study to date, one conducted by US and Swedish scientists, found no increased risk of ASD or ADHD with its use. The nurse in me is quick to add that any pregnant woman should use any medication with caution and should check with their individual provider before taking any medication.
Vaccines. Perhaps the most widely publicized and thoroughly disproven theory is the alleged link between vaccinations—particularly the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot—and autism. This misconception originated from a now-retracted 1998 study, which has since been exposed for flaws in its methodology. Extensive research encompassing millions of children worldwide has found no credible evidence that vaccines cause autism. What has been proven is that the leading cause of death worldwide in children under the age of five is pneumococcal disease. The most common cause for diarrhea in children is rotavirus. There are vaccinations for both.
Prematurity. A child born prematurely is at higher risk for other health issues including developmental delays however, by itself, prematurity has not been proven as a direct cause of autism. The relationship appears to be complex, involving factors such as disruptions in early brain development, the stressors of neonatal intensive care, and possible underlying genetic susceptibilities that may contribute both to premature birth and neurodevelopmental differences.
Maternal age. The relationship between maternal age and ASD has been the subject of considerable research. Some studies suggest that children born to older parents may have a slightly higher risk of being diagnosed with ASD. However, this association is not fully understood and does not imply a direct causation. Instead, it is believed that advanced parental age may interact with genetic and environmental factors contributing to neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Do your own research.
No one knows absolutely what causes autism to occur. Over the years there have been many disproven theories, including cold and distant mothers. The most reliable research has consistently shown that ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition rooted primarily in genetics and early brain development with a range of contributing variables rather than any single external factor. Its origins are far more nuanced than any one single factor.
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network have stated that autism is not a disease but rather a natural part of human diversity, “something we are born with, and that shouldn’t be changed.” Those with ASD, with their autistic thinking and ability to detect patterns in science, math, and music, demonstrate that their neurodiversity is a benefit. The increase we have seen in those diagnosed with ASD is likely more related to expanding the definition as a spectrum and our ability to identify those traits.
Do your own research.
We can identify another grouping of four in the same game Connections.
Truths about Autism
Present at birth
Diagnosed later for girls
Enhanced outcomes with early identification
Each child is different
There are resources out there. Do your own research…but here are a few suggestions.
Indiana Resource Center for Autism