The Trump administration has announced a new Autism Action Plan designed to increase awareness, expand treatment options, and boost research into autism spectrum disorder.
The plan directs the Food and Drug Administration to issue a physician notice and update safety labels on acetaminophen. Research has indicated a potential link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and early childhood with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, prompting officials to urge caution in its use. The Department of Health and Human Services will also launch a nationwide public service campaign to inform families and strengthen public health protections.
A major component of the initiative focuses on making new therapeutic options available. The FDA will move to establish leucovorin as the first recognized treatment for children with cerebral folate deficiency and related autistic symptoms. Once approved, state Medicaid programs will be able to cover leucovorin for children with autism spectrum disorder. The National Institutes of Health will begin confirmatory trials and further research to evaluate its impact.
The plan also emphasizes expanded federal research efforts. Through the Autism Data Science Initiative, the NIH will fund 13 new projects with more than $50 million in investments aimed at transforming autism research.
Administration officials said the new measures represent the most comprehensive federal effort to date in advancing treatments, safety guidance, and research for families affected by autism.
