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(NewsNation) — The national conversation around autism has ramped up.
Last week, President Trump discouraged pregnant women from taking Tylenol, saying research needs to be done to see if there is a potential link between the pain reliever and higher autism risk.
Jillian Michaels, host of the “Keeping It Real” podcast, and Jessica Reed Kraus, an independent journalist, joined Tuesday's "On Balance" to discuss the topic.
Michaels believes that the explosion of autism diagnoses is the impetus behind the broader discussion now taking place.
She also noted that the topic is "something near and dear to RFK Jr.'s heart."
"I think that all of us either have a person that's neurodivergent in the home or has a friend with a child that has autism. Everyone is touched by this in one way or another. And I think we're committed to trying to get to the bottom of it, trying to figure out what's going on and also providing better support for families who have an autistic or neurodivergent child," Michaels added.
Kraus, who was on the campaign trail for RFK Jr. during his run for president, acknowledged that Trump is heavily influenced by Kennedy Jr. and trusts his vision and research. She also said that a lot of her audience, who are mothers, now feel they have a voice in the room.
"A lot of these mothers have been gaslit and sidelined for years," she said.
"And finally, we have an administration who is willing to not only examine the science and all of these things, the research they're doing, but just open up the conversation. I think that's very exciting, because that's the approach I think we're all moving towards," Kraus said.
'Born Lucky' book also bringing awareness to autism discussion
Michaels and Kraus also spotlighted Leland Vittert's new book for making an even stronger argument about the autism conversation.
“Born Lucky” is Vittert's own story — the story of a child born with a serious, untreatable condition whose parents made a radical decision to give their son the support and tools to find his place in a tough world. The new book discusses how growing up with autism affected his life — and his family’s.
"I do have friends, as you know, that have autistic kids. And I think that they want more support for the child that they are working with now," Michaels said.
"They want to be focused on, as well. They don't want just a focus on prevention. They want some support," she said.
"Born Lucky is #17 on Amazon right now, and #1 in books on fatherhood and on parenting children with disabilities."
The book can be ordered here.
English (US) ·