The Politics of Erasure: Autism and ‘Cure’ Narratives

Once again, as autistic people, we are being discussed in a highly medicalised, cure-based narrative. Suddenly, according to the Trump administration[1], paracetamol is the cause of autism – a thing to be removed, not used in pregnancy, to be avoided at all costs so that we can ensure that autism can be eradicated in our society, once and for all.

As an autistic person, I have been all too familiar with the feelings of shame, or analysing what is ‘wrong’ with me, or where this ‘wrongness’ came from and what caused it. From bad vaccines, to consuming non-organic vegetables in pregnancy, autistic people and their pregnant parents have been analysed, scrutinised, and criticised simply for the way we exist. Saying that autism is caused by paracetamol (Tylenol)[2] is disinformation, unsubstantiated, and another dangerous rhetoric being perpetuated about autistic people (see Dr Monique Botha).

Whilst these claims are also anti-science with no claim to truth, they are simultaneously highly medicalised, seeking to provide a ‘cure’ to autism: to remove disability and eradicate it. When looking to prevent, cure, and stop autism from existing, one could say that we are walking a fine line between conspiracy and eugenics, promoting the idea that neurodivergent people and disabled people can be eliminated by finding the ‘right’ research which ‘cures’ us. I would, personally, argue that we have already stepped into the realm of eugenics when it comes to autism, as ‘cure’ has been the dominant narrative about our community and person.

My concern is that, with another ‘cure’ narrative being produced, constructed, and carefully positioned by the elite for political gain, we will once again step away from a culture of support, care, and inclusion of autistic people in society. Instead of providing adjustments, promoting support, and accommodating autistic people in all facets of life, I fear we return to hiding in the shadows, shrouded in stigma and shame. We must question why this announcement has come now: think about what else could be in the news? What they could be trying to hide? What narratives they are seeking to suppress by pursuing the ‘cure’ to autism?

I’ve already seen comments from parents saying they feel scared walking out in public with their autistic child, fearful that someone is judging them for doing something ‘wrong’ in pregnancy, a moral model blaming parents for the existence of their autistic child (see Kapp, 2022). I’ve seen comments from autistic people who are scared of being further stigmatised, marginalised, and at risk of harm – especially higher support needs autistics or those with intersectional identities who already experience layered forms of exclusion[3].

There is no known cure for autism – because a cure is not possible or needed. Autism is a form of neurodivergence, a disability, an essential and fundamental part of who I am. Neurodivergence cannot be cured, and neurodiversity is the infinite diversity of human minds[4]. All minds differ, and the world would be a fundamentally different place if all our minds worked alike. Autistic people, therefore, are an intrinsic part of our beautiful, diverse, multifaceted world where everyone is unique. We cannot – and should not – be eradicated.

As a critical thinker and postgraduate student, I welcome critique, debate, and the contestation of dominant paradigms. But considering the recent announcement from Donald Trump and Robert Kennedy, we must urgently interrogate what constitutes science, evidence, and ‘truth’, and what does not. This is not a matter of academic disagreement. It is a matter of distinguishing between research grounded in methodological integrity and peer-reviewed scrutiny, and conspiracy narratives that masquerade as science whilst peddling 'cure' rhetoric.

Once again, we are seeing an attack on autistic people, autistic children, autistic adults, and our parents/carers. We are seeing pseudoscience on the centre stage, with ‘cure’ being positioned as the only answer, with no understanding of neurodiversity, neurodivergent people, disability, and the spectrum of people who exist beyond the binary.  

We must resist – not just the pseudoscience, but the very systems which are allowing it to flourish. We must continue to discredit the framing of autism as a ‘problem to be solved’, a deviation to be ‘corrected’, or a burden in society which requires a ‘cure’. Autistic people are part of human diversity, deserving of respect, rights, and recognition.

To my community: we must continue to create space where we can support one another, speak our truth, and create environments where autistic people – especially those with intersecting marginalised identities – are not just included, but centred.

The real ‘cure’ we need is not for autism; it is for ableism. This shame is not mine to be had; it is for those seeking to erase my existence.

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Note: I actively encourage other people to find more information, explore this topic, and produce their own blogs, content, or commentaries. We each play a small part in discrediting narratives and using our lived experience to disrupt ableist systems. I would personally argue that my blog, here, is not 'the best' critique of this subject - however current affairs requires a range of voices, and here, I have contributed with my own.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/09/fact-evidence-suggests-link-between-acetaminophen-autism/

[2] Sherman (2025) https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/22/trump-tylenol-autism-women 

[3] Jones, D.R., Botha, M. and Sasson, N.J., 2025. “I’m kind of stuck in the middle. I don’t know where to go”: race, autism, and intersectional stigma among Black and White autistic adults. Autism in Adulthood.

[4] Nick Walker (2024) https://neuroqueer.com/neurodiversity-terms-and-definitions/