All About Autism Blog: My Thoughts on President's Trump's Announcement
Erie, PA (September 24, 2025) - When I learned the other day that the President would be addressing the country in what he referred to as one of the most significant announcements in American history regarding autism, I knew that I would tune in. Barber National Institute Executive Vice President Dr. Maureen Barber-Carey shares her viewpoint in this week's All About Autism blog.
"When I learned the other day that the President would be addressing the country in what he referred to as one of the most significant announcements in American history regarding autism, I knew that I would tune in.
Yes, I am pleased that our country is committed to determining the causes of autism as it impacts 1:31 children in the United States today. There is no one who would not look favorably on such a goal.
The administration is suggesting that acetaminophen usage during pregnancy may cause autism and therefore should be avoided and only be used in extreme cases. The medical community disputes these findings and believes that this misinformation could harm pregnant women.
Also discussed were childhood vaccinations and the possibility that they may contribute to the development of autism. Again, there have been many scientific studies that dispute this statement. Also announced was that the FDA will be updating the label of leucovorin which has been used to treat cerebral folate deficiency and now may be a potential treatment for speech related deficits in children with autism. It stressed that leucovorin is not a cure for autism, its benefits may be limited to a subset of children, and more studies are needed to assess safety and efficacy.
I am not a physician nor a scientist but an educator and a parent who has closely followed this subject for the last 30 years. Again, I applaud our commitment to follow science and determine the causes of autism and potential treatments. I would strongly encourage you to speak with your physician as you consider these recommendations for yourself or your child.
Autism is a spectrum disorder and if you know one person with autism, you know one person with autism. There are many people with autism who are brilliant, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk have commented that looking back at their childhoods, they probably had undiagnosed autism. But there are many individuals with autism who have intellectual, behavioral, or communication challenges and require support. I believe that we value each person as an individual who contributes to a world in which we celebrate all people.
