The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences has today released an evidence brief on autism.

This evidence brief examines childhood autism, paracetamol and vaccination, and explains the science that demonstrates that there is no evidence for a causal link between autism and paracetamol, or autism and vaccines.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (often referred to as autism or ASD) is the collective diagnostic term for multiple congenital neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by persistent social interaction and communication difficulties and restricted behavioural patterns. It affects how the brain develops and processes information, shaping how autistic people see, understand, and respond to the world around them.

There is no single cause of autism, it comes from a complex interplay between genes and environmental factors that can influence development, usually in utero. Family history is one of the strongest predictors of autism. Environmental factors also play a role and the influence they have is most often exerted before birth and may occur in interaction with genetic factors.

The prevalence of autism is increasing in Australia and there are several factors linked to this rise, including more awareness, changed diagnostic criteria, more accurate modelling and policy drivers such as the NDIS.

Some research studies show possible weak associations between some environmental exposures and autism, but research has not established clear evidence that these associations represent significant risk factors for autism. Associations between variables do not necessarily mean causal relationships.

There is no causal evidence that paracetamol causes autism. Large, high-quality population studies do not find a causal relationship between paracetamol use and autism. Multiple studies have shown that there is no link between receiving vaccines and the development of autism, and no link between any vaccine ingredients and autism.

Read the full brief here AAHMS Autism Evidence Brief