Many mothers with autistic children carry one form of guilt or another about being the primary cause of their child's autism. This feeling is what some people will call the 'fluffy stuff' because it's more on a mother's psyche - it is emotional, a feeling and what people generally do not consider as 'Factual'.
However, self-blame and guilt in mothers with autistic children is real. It is can be life long and it is a gripping feeling.
Globally, there is no reliable data to show that 'many mothers blame themselves as the primary cause of their child's autism', however in recent years..
- In England (2025) - in a national survey of almost 700 parents of autistic children, 22% said they blamed themselves, and there was a high rate of being blamed by professionals as well. 92% of the respondents were mothers.
- In Serbia (2019) - In a peer review of only 82 parents, 22% had moderate to high self-blame.
- In Countries like Malaysia and in growing economies, there is evidence of self-blame, however very limited measurements or monitoring occur.
- There is still stigma (hidden or shown) associated with having an autistic, disabled or neurodivergent child.
There are more children being born or diagnosed with autism; more children are considered neurodivergent and more parents are feeling self-blame and guilt. Society's awareness on how to be empathetic with parents and their children is still lacking.
|
Formulation |
Tylenol (U.S.) – typical labeled strengths |
Paracetamol (UK/EU) – typical labeled strengths |
|
Adult tablets/caplets |
Regular Strength: 325 mg per tablet |
Standard tablets/caplets: 500 mg per tablet |
|
Extra Strength: 500 mg per caplet |
(Some markets also sell 325 mg, but 500 mg is most common) |
|
|
8-Hour/Arthritis (extended-release): 650 mg per caplet |
Modified-release products (where available): often 665 mg per caplet (brand-dependent) |
|
|
Effervescent/soluble |
Less common; when available typically 325–500 mg |
Commonly 500 mg per tablet |
|
Sachets/powders |
Varies by brand; often 500 mg per sachet |
Commonly 500 mg per sachet |
|
Children’s liquid |
160 mg/5 mL (standardised U.S. pediatric strength) |
Common: 120 mg/5 mL (“infant/3+ months”) and 250 mg/5 mL (“6+ years”) |
|
Suppositories |
Various (e.g., 80, 120, 325, 650 mg) depending on product |
Various (e.g., 60, 120, 125, 250, 500 mg) depending on product |
On what Acetaminophen does to the body, it provides pain relief by targeting the brain and spinal cord to reduce prostaglandins, easing pain and lowering fever. Always follow the recommended dose, avoid taking it with alcohol, and never double dose with another product containing the same ingredient.
The Important Points to Note
- Mothers and parents in general are too often met with stigma and blame from professionals and society. Over time, this external judgment seeps inward, creating deep feelings of shame and guilt.
- This burden of internalised shame is real and documented in many countries. Yet what truly needs to evolve is not the parent, but the way professionals and society are educated to respond with empathy, understanding, and respect.
- Parents raising autistic children face challenges far beyond what many consider “normal.” Their journey requires strength and resilience that is rarely acknowledged.
-
To label Paracetamol (widely used in the UK and globally) or Tylenol (common in the US) as the cause of autism is not just misleading... it is cruel. It tells millions of mothers who took these medicines during pregnancy that they are to blame for their child’s autism, piling shame onto an already heavy load.
- And if you are a mother of an autistic child who took Paracetamol or Tylenol during pregnancy, hear this clearly: YOU DID NOT CAUSE YOUR CHILD’S AUTISM.
Finally, at the age of 2 I got physically impacted after ingesting a medicine that should have been given to children 12 years and above, so I'll say to any mother and father 'Read the ingredients of any medicine, understand how they act in the body, and ask your doctor the hard questions. That is empowerment, not blame.'
Blog Post By Nkechi Ilori
Image: @theattractlegacy
