Autism Awareness and Fact Check
Recent assertions made about autism by some U.S. government officials may be causing confusion for parents, caregivers and families.
To provide clarity, Five Counties is sharing these fact-based resources from credible, Canadian health organizations. Follow the links to find out more information, including the causes of autism and the safe use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy.
Autism and its Causes
- Holland-Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- Holland-Bloorview’s statement, responding to the U.S. government’s suggestion that autism is linked to acetaminophen use during pregnancy.
- Of note in the statement, Evdokia Anagnostou, vice president of research, Dr. Stuart D. Sims Chair in Autism and co-lead of Holland Bloorview’s Autism Research Centre, explains some of the underlying causes of autism:
- “There isn’t one single cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A wealth of scientific evidence shows that autism arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. We already know that genes play a role in least 15 to 25 per cent of autistic children and youth, and researchers are still studying how genetic factors may interact with each other and the environment. Exploring environmental factors is important because they may help us understand additional ways of intervening to improve outcomes and quality-of-life for autistic children and youth.”
- Melanie Penner, a senior clinician scientist and developmental pediatrician at Holland-Bloorview, assures families not to feel “fear and guilt” given the claims being made about autism.
- “I really hope we can dissuade parents from feeling the crushing kind of worry and guilt that this messaging might bring on,” Dr. Penner tells Metroland Media. Read the full story here.
- Autism and its Causes – Health Canada
- About Autism – Autism Canada
Autism and Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy:
- Two leading health organizations in Canada have restated that the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy is safe and that there is no conclusive link to it causing autism.
- Autism Ontario
- Ontario Autism Coalition
Autism and Vaccines:
- Vaccines: Myths and facts | Canadian Paediatric Society
- Research shows vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.
Treating Autism With Dignity, Evidence and Inclusion
- The Autism Alliance of Canada has issued a statement, in which it takes those to task who spread misinformation about autism. “(We) steadfastly believe that words, and facts, matter. That’s why we champion conversations about autism that are rooted in high-quality evidence, reflect accuracy and honour the dignity of every individual.”
- Empowered Kids Ontario – Statement on Caring for Kids With Autism and Their Families
Additional Links:
- Five Counties Children’s Centre
- Science Vs. is a science-based podcast that explores what’s fact and what’s not.
- Listen to Podcast: Autism… the Real Reason it’s Going Up
- Listen to Podcast: Does Tylenol Cause Autism?
- Autism is not a scare story: What parents need to know about medications in pregnancy, genetic risk and misleading headlines – The Conversation Canada (Sept. 15/2
- In this research piece, Sura Alwan, of the University of British Columbia, looks past the headlines to discuss the actual research into autism and its causes: “I want to explain why the research on acetaminophen and SSRIs is often misunderstood, and why reducing complex science to alarming headlines does more harm than good,” she writes.
- What is Luecovorin, the Drug Being Touted to Treat Autism? – CBC News Article (Sept. 25/25)
Category: General News