Autism is more complex than Trump suggests, new research shows

A new genetic study is challenging the long-held assumption that people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) later in childhood or adolescence—after the current median diagnosis age of six—have a less severe, or “milder,” form of the condition.

The research, published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, suggests that these later diagnoses are actually linked to a “different form of autism,” according to senior author Varun Warrier, an autism researcher at the University of Cambridge.

Distinct genetic profiles

Analysing genetic data from over 45,000 autistic people in Europe and the US, along with long-term behavioural information, the study found that the genetic profile of those with a later autism diagnosis more closely resembles that of depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rather than the profile associated with early childhood autism.

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The findings suggest that autism is likely not a single condition, but an “umbrella term for a cluster of conditions” with similar, but not identical, features, said Geraldine Dawson, founding director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, who was not involved in the report.

Researchers did not focus on a single gene but rather on sets of thousands of genetic variants that influence particular traits. Warrier, as reported by NBC News, said  that while one genetic profile might lead to social interaction difficulties in the toddler years, another set of genes could cause such problems to increase and become apparent in late childhood or beyond.

The study suggests that some autistic children “develop differently and may not receive a diagnosis earlier on because their features may not yet have clearly emerged,” Warrier said.

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Unseen, misunderstood and exhausted

The study found that adolescents diagnosed later had more difficulty managing emotional issues and peer relationships. This struggle may contribute to an increased risk of depression observed in this group, which Warrier suggests could stem from both a genetic predisposition and a lack of support.

“Children who have undiagnosed autism may not receive the support they need,” Warrier noted. “They may be bullied, excluded and may be vulnerable socially."

The increasing awareness of neurodiversity is leading to a surge in adult diagnoses, with diagnoses among adults aged 26 to 34 growing by 450% from 2011 to 2022. Warrier stressed that while services often focus on young children, it is crucial to support people with autism of all ages.

The study is the first to link a genetic profile to the timing of an autism diagnosis and stress on the complex nature of ASD.

Trump’s unproven link between autism and paracetamol

US President Donald Trump announced that doctors will soon be advised against prescribing the pain reliever Tylenol to pregnant women, citing a controversial connection between the drug and autism.

On Monday, Trump stated that taking Tylenol—known as paracetamol in other countries—“is no good” and urged pregnant women to “fight like hell” to use it only for severe fevers.

Medical experts have strongly criticised the president’s statements, with some calling them as dangerous. Meanwhile, health authorities in the UK said that paracetamol remains the safest pain relief option for pregnant women.