autism

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Mattel Adds an Autistic Barbie
Mattel Adds an
Autistic Barbie
Jan 12, 2026 6:41 AM CST

Mattel Adds an Autistic Barbie

Toymaker adds to its doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion

(Newser) - Mattel is introducing an autistic Barbie on Monday as the newest member of its line intended to celebrate diversity, joining a collection that already includes Barbies with Down syndrome, a blind Barbie, a Barbie and a Ken with vitiligo, and other models the toymaker added to make its fashion dolls...

Researchers Identify 4 Types of Autism
Researchers Say There
Are 4 Types of Autism
NEW STUDY
Dec 29, 2025 12:30 PM CST

Researchers Say There Are 4 Types of Autism

Genetic and behavioral subtypes lend nuance to the often-overlooked disorder

(Newser) - Autism has long been known as a spectrum, signifying a wide range of symptoms and severity. Now, new research suggests that spectrum is made up of four distinct forms, each with its own pattern of behaviors and genetic signatures, per the Washington Post . The four categories emerged from a study...

HHS Cuts Grants to Pediatric Group Amid Clash With RFK Jr.

Slashed funding to American Academy of Pediatrics halts child health, vaccine-related initiatives

(Newser) - Federal health officials have yanked millions in grants from one of their most outspoken critics, and the American Academy of Pediatrics says kids will pay the price. The Department of Health and Human Services this week canceled seven grants to the AAP worth an estimated $18 million, according to documents...

Amy Schumer Makes Final Decision on Her Marriage

After weeks of whispers, comedian confirms she and husband Chris Fischer are splitting

(Newser) - It's official: Amy Schumer and her husband are divorcing. Per USA Today , the 44-year-old comedian announced the permanent split with her spouse of seven years, Chris Fischer, on Friday, just days after telling fans to keep their "fingers crossed" that she and Fischer "make it through."...

Liam Neeson Finds Himself at Center of Anti-Vax Storm

Actor's reps says his narration in COVID movie doesn't equal endorsement of its debunked claims

(Newser) - Liam Neeson is distancing himself from anti-vaccine politics even as his voice anchors a new film steeped in vaccine skepticism and praise for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Naked Gun actor narrates Plague of Corruption, a documentary based on a book by Judy Mikovits, a former researcher who rose to...

Kennedy: Autism Change on CDC Site Was My Idea

Evidence doesn't support former guidance about vaccines as a cause, health secretary says

(Newser) - That change in the way the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention addresses whether vaccines cause autism on its website was not the result of a new study or emerging agency consensus. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the turnaround was on his order, the New York Times reports....

CDC Makes Big Change to Page on Autism, Vaccines

The statement 'Vaccines do not cause autism' now has asterisk, disclaimer

(Newser) - During Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearings, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a key vote, said Kennedy had assured him that the CDC would "not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism." Kennedy has kept his word, but not...

No Evidence Tylenol Causes Autism, Major Review Finds

Researchers say genetics, not painkillers, likely explain autism, ADHD diagnoses

(Newser) - A comprehensive review has found no solid evidence linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism or ADHD in children, despite recent political warnings urging women to avoid the painkiller. The review, published in the British Medical Journal , was expedited to address concerns raised after President Trump claimed that acetaminophen—sold...

Texas Sues Johnson & Johnson Over Tylenol Autism Warning

State claims drugmaker hid risks of acetaminophen during pregnancy

(Newser) - In an unprecedented move, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company failed to inform consumers about potential risks of taking Tylenol during pregnancy. This is the first time a state government has brought such a case, following recent federal guidance that...

New Vaccine Fight Is Over Aluminum
New Vaccine Fight
Is About Aluminum
Oct 16, 2025 7:34 AM CDT

New Vaccine Fight Is About Aluminum

FDA review could put many childhood vaccinations at risk

(Newser) - A new fight over childhood vaccines is brewing, this time over aluminum. Specifically, FDA officials are considering the removal of aluminum salts from shots, a move that could put about half of childhood vaccinations at risk, reports the New York Times . President Trump signaled the fight during his July news...

At Cabinet Meeting, RFK Jr. Links Circumcision to Autism

There was a notable absence at Trump's 8th Cabinet meeting

(Newser) - President Trump opened a meeting with his Cabinet at the White House on Thursday by speaking about the ceasefire deal and his plans to travel to the Middle East. Trump said that he will be going to Egypt for a signing ceremony and that he has been invited to speak...

There's a Push Growing to Split the Autism Spectrum

The idea is to separate the 'profound' cases from the milder ones

(Newser) - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. maintains that the US is in the midst of an epidemic of autism, pointing to controversial theories such as vaccines as a factor. But while it's true that autism cases have risen sharply in the last few decades, critics see a different...

WHO Begs to Differ With Trump's Tylenol Stance

Agency says there's no scientific proof that acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism

(Newser) - Add the World Health Organization to those pushing back against warnings from the Trump administration about the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. President Trump and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked use of the drug—the active ingredient in Tylenol—to autism, but the WHO says "no...

Trump's 'Tough It Out' Advice to Pregnant Women Questioned

Ignoring a high fever in the first trimester puts the fetus at risk, say critics

(Newser) - During his news conference on Monday, President Trump warned pregnant women not to take Tylenol —and he repeated the warning 10 times by the count of the Washington Post . "Don't take Tylenol, don't take it," Trump said. "Fight like hell not to take it....

US Warning on Tylenol Shines Unwanted Light on Drugmaker

Cautioning against using acetaminophen due to autism link reignites debate, suits against Kenvue

(Newser) - Kenvue, the company behind Tylenol since its 2023 spinoff from Johnson & Johnson, is preparing for a significant increase in lawsuits after federal officials under the Trump administration flagged a possible connection between acetaminophen—the active ingredient in Tylenol—and autism when taken during pregnancy. While Kenvue and some...

Trump Slammed for 'Dangerous' Tylenol Advice

President suggests there is a link to autism, without offering new evidence

(Newser) - "Taking Tylenol is not good," President Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. "I'll say it. It's not good." The president—flanked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, the surgeon general—said that acetaminophen, the active ingredient...

Trump Teases 'Amazing' News About Autism

Administration will reportedly link the disorder to the use of Tylenol during pregnancy

(Newser) - During his speech at the Charlie Kirk memorial on Sunday, President Trump teased what he described as a historic announcement to come on Monday about autism. "I think you're going to find it to be amazing," said the president, per USA Today . "I think we found...

HHS Plans No-Bid Contract on Tying Autism to Vaccines

Kennedy announced definitive research effort though scientists have never found evidence of a connection

(Newser) - Federal health officials intend to award a contract to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to investigate whether there is a link between vaccinations and autism, according to a government procurement notice. The Troy, New York, engineering school was selected for the no-bid contract because of its "unique ability" to link data...

HHS Report to Tie Tylenol, Low Folate to Autism: WSJ

RFK Jr.-driven report will also highlight folate drug leucovorin as possible autism treatment

(Newser) - A forthcoming report from the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is expected to suggest a possible link between pregnant women's use of Tylenol, whose active ingredient is acetaminophen, and autism, as well as a connection to low folate levels. The...

'Pulling Back the Curtain' on Autism? Experts Not So Sure

They say RFK Jr.'s plan to do so is flawed, as it doesn't take genetics into account

(Newser) - For many experts, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s promise for "pulling back the curtain" to find autism's causes in a few months is jarring—and unrealistic. That's because it appears to ignore decades of science linking about 200 genes that play a role, and...

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