In this article, you will learn
After decades of research, here's what science tells us: We don't know precisely what causes autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Despite decades of scientific research, autism's origins currently remain unknown. What we do know is that autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that arises from a constellation of genetic factors and environmental influences. Parents seeking answers should be wary of any source claiming definitive knowledge about autism's cause.
There is a popular saying, "If you know one person with autism, you know one person with autism.”
It will be difficult, if not impossible, to nail down a single cause of autism or a single treatment for autism because there is no single condition called autism.
Autism exists along a spectrum. It’s important to understand that this spectrum isn't a single linear scale from "mild" to "severe.” It is a multi-dimensional model with categories including emotional-regulation, communication, neuro-motor differences, sensory processing, social awareness, and more.
Autism is best viewed as a constellation of traits, strengths, and challenges that vary widely between individuals. Different people will experience their autism quite differently, their symptoms will be different, and their strengths and challenges will vary. Once this reality is understood, it makes it easier to understand why claims of a single cause or treatment are scientifically dubious.
Despite persistent concerns, the scientific evidence is definitive: There is no link between vaccines and autism.
Extensive research has repeatedly debunked this connection, and the original study suggesting this link was retracted due to serious methodological flaws and ethical violations. While there is no scientific evidence that vaccines and the childhood immunization schedule causes adverse health effects of any kind, choosing not to vaccinate carries significant health risks without providing any protection against autism.
Vaccines save lives. Infant and childhood vaccines are scientifically proven to prevent diseases that can be serious and even deadly. Many of the diseases that these vaccinations prevent (such as measles, mumps, polio, and Hepatitis B) have no cure. The only proven way to protect your child against these diseases is with vaccines.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommends immunizations as the safest way of preventing disease, disability, and death. Additionally, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends COVID vaccinations and boosters during pregnancy, noting that they help "to protect both mother and infant from severe illness and it reduces risks of maternal complications, premature birth, and still birth while still providing antibodies to newborns."
The recent announcements suggesting a relationship between Tylenol and both autism and ADHD received immediate pushback from various medical associations, including the AAP and the ACOG. It is important to understand that untreated fever and pain during pregnancy are proven to carry significant maternal and infant health risks.
A massive 2024 Swedish study tracking over 2.48 million children found no evidence linking prenatal acetaminophen use to increased risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability when properly controlling for genetic and environmental factors.
As someone who works directly with parents, I see the unnecessary guilt these headlines create. One mom recently told me she was torturing herself over having taken Tylenol for a severe migraine during pregnancy. Science simply does not support this level of worry, guilt, and shame. As the president of ACOG states, “When considering the use of medication in pregnancy, it’s important to consider all potential risks along with any benefits. The data from numerous studies have shown that acetaminophen plays an important—and safe—role in the well-being of pregnant women.”
Medical authorities have evaluated this treatment and concluded: It is not part of clinical protocol to prescribe leucovorin for treatment of autism symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has stated that "leucovorin (folinic acid) has not been a recommended treatment for autism. It will require many more years of research before we know if leucovorin is an appropriate treatment for individuals with autism.”
Leucovorin is a prescription medicine approved to ease side effects from chemotherapy, a cancer treatment. Also known as folinic acid, it is derived from folate (a form of vitamin B9). Folate is recommended during pregnancy to help support neurodevelopment before birth.
The scientific findings currently being discussed regarding leucovorin and folinic acid should be interpreted with significant caution. This is because the small studies being discussed suffer from distinct weaknesses that limit the reliability: The studies have currently involved too few participants, use inconsistent dosages and outcome measures, and lack control groups or blinding.
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MYTH |
FACT |
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Vaccines cause autism. |
Extensive research has debunked any connection between vaccines and autism. |
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Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism. |
There is no proven causal link between prenatal acetaminophen use and an increased risk of autism or ADHD. |
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Autism can be "cured." |
There is no medication or supplement that "cures" autism, nor do we view autism as something that needs to be cured. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference. |
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Leucovorin is an effective treatment for autism. |
Leucovorin (folinic acid) is not a recommended treatment for autism. |
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Autism has a single cause. |
Autism arises from a complex combination of genetic factors and environmental influences. |
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The autism spectrum is linear from mild to severe. |
The spectrum is multi-dimensional, including many different categories of traits. |
It’s always helpful to identify goals with your care providers so that you can meaningfully measure progress against these goals. Success will look different for different children. It’s all about creating an individualized approach for the specific person and their goals. Ultimately the goal for an autistic child is the same as any child, a joyful life where they can be fully themselves.
We must realize that what makes our children happy may not be what we expect. Some parents and professionals want to measure success by their own standards, and not their child’s standards. It’s important to focus and personalize your goals to your child. For instance some autistic children simply do not want to play a sport, that is not where they derive joy, so for that particular child, sports participation would not be an appropriate measure of success. Regardless of goal, remember that progress may be gradual and nonlinear and that’s okay. Growth often happens in small, deeply significant moments.
Research confirms that evidence-based neurodiversity-affirming interventions which address co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, and OCD—supporting lasting well-being for autistic children when properly adapted. Success depends on tailoring approaches to each child's unique developmental profile. For example, one common treatment approach, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), focuses on changing autistic behavior by breaking skills into small steps and using rewards, called positive reinforcement, to encourage a desired behavior. At Blackbird Health, we take a broader approach that looks beyond just behaviors to understand the whole child—their emotions, relationships, and overall health. We integrate developmental, psychological, and medical insights to create personalized care plans that address both the autism-related differences and co-occurring challenges. This balanced, collaborative model helps autistic individuals build confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections in daily life.
Effective mental health interventions for autistic individuals should present information concretely, include frequent comprehension checks, break sessions into smaller increments, incorporate movement breaks as needed, and utilize non-verbal approaches like play-based therapies when appropriate. These adaptations create more accessible therapeutic experiences that honor different processing styles and sensory needs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Adapted for autistic individuals to support reduction in anxiety and unhelpful thought patterns
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Modified for autistic individuals to address emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness
Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Adapted with concrete instructions and visual supports
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans create personalized roadmaps that adapt teaching methods, curriculum, and environmental factors to align with each child's unique strengths and challenges. Complementing these formal plans, assistive technology offers powerful tools that can transform academic experiences, including text-to-speech software that makes written content more accessible, speech-to-text programs that bypass handwriting difficulties, and organizational tools that help students navigate complex scheduling and assignment tracking.
Occupational therapy (OT): OT is often used as a treatment for the sensory integration issues associated with autism. It can help improve quality of life and the ability to participate fully in daily activities. Each program is based on individual evaluations and goals. OT for young autistic children often focuses on improving sensory integration and sensorimotor issues. In older children, OT might focus on improving social behavior and increasing independence.
Environmental Modifications: Adjusting lighting, sound, and physical space to reduce sensory overload.
Speech and language therapy: Speech therapy can be used to improve a child’s communication skills, allowing them to better express their needs or wants.
Social Stories: Personalized narratives that explain social situations and appropriate responses.
When considering interventions and support, it's essential to recognize: There is no medication or supplement that "cures" autism, nor do we view autism as something that needs to be cured.
Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference, and many autistic people consider it a core part of their identity that does not need curing. What Blackbird aims for is for your child to be able to have the support they need in order to reach their maximum potential. And included in that is their maximum potential for happiness—to be happy and to enjoy their lives.
Let’s first recognize that parents of autistic children often face pressure to try various treatments, some with limited or no scientific support. It’s understandable that we want to help our children and stay plugged in to what the latest news says in our community. It is so important though for parents to adhere to a system to evaluate claims about treatments. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there and some of it can cause real harm.
When evaluating any autism treatment or provider, be skeptical if you see:
As a general rule, always consult with your child's support professions (e.g., pediatrician, child study team, therapist) before trying any new treatment. Your doctor can:
Never try a new supplement or medication without discussing it with your pediatrician first.
Recent changes in government funding and official positions mean some government websites including official medical and education sites may not always reflect evidence-backed science and certain pages may disappear entirely. Consider comparing information with recommendations from organizations like the Autism Society, AAP’s parent focused website HealthyChildren.org, and autistic-led resources like the Autism Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN).
If you are looking for a new specialist for your child, you can work with your child’s pediatrician and receive a referral to one of their vetted partners. If you’re looking on your own or just want to verify experts that you’re seeing on social media, there are qualities you can look for to ensure they are reputable.
Look for providers with appropriate training and credentials:
Be cautious of practitioners who claim expertise outside their field of training. For example, some people may present themselves as autism experts on social media without having the medical training to diagnose or treat autism. A social media bio may say, "have studied neuroscience" but vague claims don't indicate professional qualifications or licensure. Look for providers who have additional autism-specific credentials, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASD-CS) or Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders (CAS). Valid qualifications should be easy to verify; providers should readily share the name of the accredited organization that provided their training or certification when asked.
Look for providers whose assessment integrates multiple perspectives (medical, behavioral, developmental) rather than relying on a single approach. A comprehensive autism evaluation typically involves:
High-quality providers will ask detailed questions about your child's unique strengths and interests rather than applying generic approaches. A plan should be made to treat co-occurring conditions holistically, rather than focusing exclusively on autism itself. They should:
I know I’ve debunked a lot of myths and addressed some distressing trends in the news lately. But I do want to share that I'm also genuinely excited about where we're headed with neurodiversity research and support. There is growing research exploring autism subtypes which is helping us understand that there isn't just one autism experience, but many. I'm also particularly passionate about the growing body of work on female autism presentation, which is finally reshaping how we identify and support girls and women whose experiences have been overlooked for too long. And perhaps most encouraging is seeing more autistic researchers leading studies from their lived experience, combining personal insight with rigorous methodology. The autism research landscape is changing, certainly some changes are troubling, but I believe there is a lot of evidence-based work being done that is positive and the future is still bright.
At Blackbird Health, we understand that navigating an autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Our comprehensive approach examines all factors affecting your child's development, with a focus on treating the whole child rather than just targeting symptoms.
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all assessments. Our process starts broad, then quickly pinpoints where to go deeper, so we can uncover what's really going on and what each child truly needs. Unlike standard evaluations that might focus solely on autism-specific behaviors, Blackbird Health's whole-child model examines physical health factors, co-occurring mental health conditions, family dynamics, speech and language needs, sensory regulation, and family history. This approach ensures that no aspect of your child’s development is overlooked, resulting in more accurate diagnosis, more effective interventions, and ultimately, a child who thrives in their unique way. We believe that when we understand the whole child, we can support the whole family, and that makes all the difference.
Unlike hospital systems with months-long waitlists, Blackbird Health serves southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Virginia families without delays. After completing our New Patient Visit, your child’s evaluation can begin as early as 4-6 weeks in Pennsylvania and 2-4 weeks in Virginia (vs. 12-18 month waitlists elsewhere).
Pennsylvania clinics:
Virginia clinic:
Get started at Blackbird Health: Call (484) 202-0751 or email: info@blackbirdhealth.com
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Consult with your child's healthcare provider or a mental health professional for personalized guidance.