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Topics: Donald Trump, Drugs, Health, Mental Health, News, US News, Robert F Kennedy Jr
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Donald Trump, Drugs, Health, Mental Health, News, US News, Robert F Kennedy Jr
Trump has made a huge announcement about autism in America, having previously teased the news during Charlie Kirk's memorial yesterday (September 21).
Earlier today (September 22), White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that the president and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Health Secretary, would be making an announcement at 4.00pm.
Before the conference even happened, there were reports that Trump and RFK Jr. were going to reveal the 'cause' of autism in America and link it to Tylenol.
The speculation has caused a lot of controversy already, but Leavitt urged people to listen to Trump's announcement with 'open ears' and 'tone down the judgement', BBC reported.
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Speaking at Kirk's memorial service, Trump said of today's announcement: "Tomorrow we are going to have the biggest medical announcement in the history of the country… I think you’re going to find it to be amazing. I think we have an answer to autism."
According to British organization the National Autistic Society, autism 'influences how people experience and interact with the world'.
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It continues to explain: "It is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability. Autistic people are different from each other, but for a diagnosis they must share differences from non-autistic people in how they think, feel and communicate.
"Being autistic means you may feel things and react to them differently to non-autistic people. You may find socialising confusing or tiring, and you may become overwhelmed in loud or busy places.
"You may have intense interests, prefer order and routine, and use repeated movements or actions to calm yourself or express joy. You might mask your discomfort to fit in, which can lead to mental illness."
Tylenol is a common type of painkiller in the US that has acetaminophen (known as paracetamol in countries like the UK) as its primary active ingredient.
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People may take acetaminophen for both pain and fever, states Tylenol's site.
It reads: "Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is thought to work to relieve minor aches and pains by elevating the body’s overall pain threshold so you feel less pain, and lowers your fever by helping your body eliminate excess heat."
The president alleges that there was once just one in 10,000 children with autism, but this figure is now one in 31 in some areas of America.
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Trump and other officials believe the increase could be tied ot Tylenol. The POTUS shared that the FDA 'are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary' and that the agency will notify physicians of this.
He went on to say that he personally thinks that expectant mothers should not take it at all.
"I think you shouldn’t take it, and you shouldn’t take it during the entire pregnancy," Trump said, per The Telegraph.
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"They may tell you that toward the end of the pregnancy, you shouldn’t take it during the entire [pregnancy] and you shouldn’t give the child the Tylenol. "
In a statement to the BBC before Trump made his announcement, the medication brand denied that Tylenol causes autism.
"We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism," the company said.
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It added: "We strongly disagree with any suggestion otherwise and are deeply concerned with the health risk this poses for expecting mothers."