---
slug: /post/our-children-deserve-better
title: "Our Children Deserve Better"
description: "As the parent of a child with autism, a response to claims about Tylenol and autism — because our children deserve better."
type: post
status: published
publish_date: '2025-09-22T08:57:45-04:00'
updated_date: '2025-09-22T09:18:08-04:00'
featured_image: /assets/images/151125224106-donald-trump-mocks-reporter-disability-00002017-3868788237.jpg
og_type: article
schema_type: BlogPosting
robots: index,follow
---

As the parent of a perfect, beautiful little boy with autism, I'm posting this ahead of this [**afternoon's press conference**](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-claims-we-maybe-know-the-cause-of-autism-teases-september-announcement).  
  
If you take this administration's claims at face value, which you absolutely should not, there are only two plausible explanations for holding the "[**Tylenol causes autism**](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/research-doesnt-show-using-tylenol-during-pregnancy-causes-autism-here-are-5-things-to-know)" press conference today:  
  
1. Somehow, they conducted a peer-reviewed scientific study and had the results ready to publish in less time than an actual pregnancy would take.  
  
*or*  
  
2. They are implying that the U.S. government has known about this alleged connection for years and has deliberately kept it secret.  
  
I believe the truth is closer to a darker third option. We have already seen how this administration, and RFK Jr. in particular, views people with disabilities, and [**it**](https://www.npr.org/2025/04/20/nx-s1-5369383/rfk-jr-s-comments-on-autism-spark-outrage-among-researchers) [**is**](https://people.com/rfk-jr-autism-baseball-claims-shriver-family-legacy-11717318) [**not**](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-robert-f-kennedy-jr-s-statements-on-autism) [**favorable**](https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/parents-experts-react-rfk-jrs-autism-claims/story?id=120911306).  
  
The real purpose of today's press conference is to perpetuate stigma and prejudice against people with autism, and more importantly, to create a narrative in which autism is framed as something blameworthy. Today's announcement will further the administration's goal of eroding trust in the scientific and medical establishment while promoting malicious, narrow-minded ideas about self-determination and personal responsibility.  
  
The message is clear: It's *your fault* you took Tylenol, and therefore it's *your fault* we view your child and your family this way.  
  
Every day of my son's life is a miracle of modern medicine so you'll have to forgive me for thinking anyone who believes this is a fucking moron.