Local behavior analyst reacts to possible Tylenol- autism link

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The announcement from President Donald Trump about a possible link between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and autism is sparking conversations among doctors and autism advocates.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made autism research a priority launching the Autism Data Science Initiative in May of 2025.

But some medical professionals are questioning the link between the medication and autism.

Amber Furby, BCBC, LBA is a board certified behavioral analyst who studies the effects of autism.

“When I heard it, I first heard it as a professional and immediately frustrated because here we go again,” she said. “Every few years, every decade we find something new to point our finger at.”

She said the decades of research don’t point to any specific chemical causing autism but instead genetics play a much heavier role.

Furby also fears that any claim without proper research to back it up will cause backlash.

“Often times this leads to this dramatic swinging of the pendulum where you are going to see mothers boycotting Tylenol, blame other mothers for giving their child Tylenol, with the diets, I see that quite a bit,” said Furby.