The National Autistic Society has seen a huge outpouring of anger about the  horrendous misinformation about autism by President Trump this week. 

Thousands have signed up to our Truth. It Matters campaign, with 10,000 people signing up in the first 24 hours. The campaign was launched to fight back against the dangerous misinformation about the causes of autism from President Donald Trump that has sparked anger among autistic people and families.

Autistic people and family members of autistic children have shared concern on social media, with messages such as “I feel to blame”, “my autistic life is already difficult at times”, “such a depressing step backward” and “I’m frightened for my SEND children”.

President Trump’s announcement is the latest in a relentless rise in baseless and offensive claims about autism. It’s important to be very clear - Paracetamol does not cause autism and vaccines do not cause autism.

These claims lead to increased stigma for autistic people who already fight every day for appropriate school places, healthcare, mental health and employment support, and timely diagnosis.

Fighting lies about autism could set us back a decade. It also means we lose focus on the real issues for autistic people:

• Only 26% of autistic pupils say they feel happy at school.
• As of June 2025, 236,225 people are waiting for an autism assessment in England. This is a 53% increase in two years.   
• Only 3 in 10 autistic adults are in work, among the lowest for any disability.

The National Autistic Society has launched an open letter and is calling for the public to join us in our fight for the truth.

Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: “The strong reaction to our campaign shows the unity in our fight to call out horrendous misinformation. These lies about autism are having a huge impact on the lives of autistic people and their families. Implying autistic people are a problem to be eradicated is inhumane and we won’t stand for it. Instead of wasting time fighting lies, we should be focusing on creating a society that works for autistic people.

“Trump’s claims about autism are dangerous, anti-science, and irresponsible, and lead to judgement and harm towards autistic people and their families who are just trying to live their lives. Join our campaign to be part of creating a society that truly works for autistic people.”

Our full open letter – sign up here.

"To anybody who has ever made a false claim about autism,
Misinformation and stigma makes life unnecessarily hard for autistic people and their families.

• Nine in ten autistic people have experienced poor mental health due to other people’s attitudes or perceptions of autism.
• 55% of autistic people say they have avoided going out because they are worried about how people will treat them.  
• One in four autistic people say that when they tell a member of the public they are autistic, they usually get a negative reaction.

"Standing with my autistic son this morning waiting for his school bus, I feel I’m being judged by everyone. My mind is totally over-exaggerating everything. I feel to blame. This is how many of us mums will feel..." - Thea

Every time we have to spend time unpicking and debunking another baseless claim about autism, that’s less time to focus on the reality: 

• Only 26% of autistic pupils say they feel happy at school.
• As of June 2025, 236,225 people are waiting for an autism assessment in England. This is a 53% increase in two years.   
• Only 3 in 10 autistic adults are in work, among the lowest for any disability.

We can’t afford these distractions. Together we are ready to fight back and stand up for the truth. The truth matters, so let’s call out nonsense and get back to working on what we actually need to deal with: the real issues autistic people face."

Further information

• Join our Truth. It Matters campaign.
• Read our response to President Donald Trump’s announcement.
• Read the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency guidance which confirms taking paracetamol during pregnancy remains safe.
• Read NHS information about pregnancy while taking paracetamol.
• Read NHS information about the MMR vaccine which confirms there is no link between the vaccine and autism. 
• Find out more about autism. 
• Read more about the causes of autism.
• Find out more about our work to support autistic people and their families.