Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society said: “This is dangerous, it’s anti-science and it’s irresponsible. President Donald Trump is peddling the worst myths of recent decades. Such dangerous pseudo-science is putting pregnant women and children at risk and devaluing autistic people.
“Let’s be clear – painkillers do not cause autism and vaccines do not cause autism. Large-scale studies have shown that there is no robust, scientific evidence to support this claim. It’s nothing more than fearmongering.
“The incessant misinformation about autism from President Donald Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr risks undermining decades of research by respected experts in the field.
“Understandably, autistic people will be dismayed and frightened by this announcement, and we would urge our Government and the NHS to stand by autistic people and to condemn this misinformation. To do otherwise risks creating further fear, stigmatisation and harm.
“We urge anyone looking for information about autism to visit websites from trusted organisations such as the NHS and the National Autistic Society.”
