Episode 14: Correlation, Not Causation: Debunking the Tylenol Autism Claim

Ready to stop getting your science from bedtime stories? In this wake-up call of an episode, Sean Yocum and Mike Carrero dive headfirst into the recent, controversial claims linking Tylenol to autism. As BCBAs, they break down the fundamental flaws in this argument, starting with the first rule of behavior analysis fight club: correlation is not causation.

They discuss how this narrative oversimplifies a complex neurodevelopmental condition, ignoring decades of peer-reviewed research on genetics and other contributing factors. Sean and Mike challenge the "miracle drug" mentality, calling out the ethical dangers of promoting misinformation and the real harm it causes to families. This isn't a political debate—it's a critical discussion about upholding the standards of evidence-based practice and why the so-called "autism epidemic" is actually a sign of social and scientific progress. Get ready to question everything you think you know and find out why the truth is far more complex, and more hopeful, than a single, simple answer.