Fact-checking President Donald Trump’s claims about autism
During a press conference about Tylenol and autism risks, President Donald Trump repeated multiple inaccurate claims about a range of topics.
On Monday, Trump, joined by top administration officials, claimed the use of Tylenol during pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of autism and that pregnant women should limit their use, contradicting medical evidence.
ABC News has evaluated some of the president’s statements.CLAIM: Amish children do not get vaccines and do not get autism
This is a common anti-vaccine talking point. Studies have identified and diagnosed autism in Amish children along with other conditions, according to the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR). Also, not all Amish families decline regular childhood vaccinations, according to a study done by Science Direct.
While Autism rates indeed appear lower among Amish communities, experts say this is likely due to factors like limited healthcare access and cultural attitude leading to underreporting, not because these conditions are absent in these communities, experts say.
In a statement to ABC News, the White House reiterated that „rates of autism among Amish children is lower than that of non-Amish children.“CLAIM: Kids get 80 vaccines, ‚horse-sized‘ shots; some ingredients may not be safe
It is not accurate that children get this many shots, nor is it accurate that children get an inappropriately large volume of vaccine.
Children get roughly 30 vaccine doses before the age of 18, excluding flu and COVID, according to the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pediatric vaccine recommendations. In recent years, the number of additives and ingredients in vaccines has been decreasing, doctors have explained.
The implication that children’s immune systems get overwhelmed by vaccinations is not accurate, doctors say. Children’s immune systems are exposed to many new bacteria and germs every day.
