What Parents Need to Know About the President’s New Autism Announcement

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What Parents Need to Know About the President’s New Autism Announcement

President Trump recently gave a major speech on autism, and many parents are wondering what it really means for their families. Government announcements often come wrapped in technical language, so here’s a clear breakdown of the key points and what parents should take away.

A New Treatment Option for Some Children

One of the biggest announcements from the speech on autism was a new pathway for using leucovorin, a medication that may help certain children with autism who also have a condition called cerebral folate deficiency (CFD).

CFD happens when a child’s brain doesn’t get enough folate, an important B vitamin, even though blood levels of folate look normal. Some studies show that when children with autism and CFD are treated with leucovorin, parents and therapists see improvements in speech, social skills, and learning.

The FDA will now recognize leucovorin as an approved option in these cases, and Medicaid will cover the treatment for eligible children. This is not a treatment for all children with autism, but for a specific group that doctors can test for using a blood test.

Pregnancy, Acetaminophen, and Autism Risk

The President also addressed growing concerns about acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy. Some research suggests a possible link between frequent acetaminophen use in pregnancy and a higher risk of autism or ADHD in children. However, experts emphasize that the evidence is not conclusive. Other studies have not found the same connection, and scientists do not yet agree that acetaminophen causes autism.

For now, the official advice is that pregnant women can still use acetaminophen when needed, but should:

  • Use the lowest effective dose
  • Take it for the shortest time necessary
  • Only use it when truly needed

It’s important to remember that untreated fever or pain during pregnancy can also be harmful, so this is about balance and careful use. Pregnant parents should talk with their doctor before making any changes to how they manage symptoms.

A Big Investment in Research

Another important piece of news is that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be investing over $50 million into new autism research. Thirteen projects will be launched under the new “Autism Data Science Initiative.” These studies will look at possible causes of autism—ranging from genetics and environmental factors to medical conditions—and will work to connect this information with real-life family experiences.

This kind of large-scale research is critical. It may not bring immediate answers, but it helps build the knowledge needed for better tools, therapies, and understanding in the years ahead.

Autism Rates Are Rising

The President also noted that autism diagnoses have been increasing. Current estimates suggest that about 1 in 31 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism, up from 1 in 36 just a few years ago. This highlights how important it is for schools, healthcare systems, and communities to keep expanding services and supports. We provide autism testing using the ADOS, one of the gold standard tools for evaluating children.

What This Means for You Today

For most families, these announcements won’t change day-to-day life right away. The new treatment applies only to children with cerebral folate deficiency, and the acetaminophen guidance is simply a reminder to use medications carefully during pregnancy. The most immediate takeaway is that the federal government is paying closer attention to autism and putting significant money into finding answers.

You should continue to use ABA therapy as a primary intervention.  Follow your pediatrician’s advice, ask questions about testing and treatments, and stay informed as new research unfolds. While uncertainty remains, these announcements show that progress is being made toward better understanding autism and supporting children and families.

We use a comprehensive approach to testing your child for autism starting with an in-depth parent interview.  Then we spend 4 hours over a couple of days testing your child using the ADOS and other autism assessments.  We’ll also gain insights from your child’s teacher or therapist.  We do this to make sure we obtain the big picture of what you see, what others see, all the work from your child, and our clinical observations and testing. Check out my book, Parent’s Quick Start Guide to Autism, if your child was recently diagnosed. It gives you a road map of the best evidenced based practices and steps to take to help your child right away.

Call us to schedule autism testing for your child (561) 625 4125.