In this episode of Props No More, Leah Smith is joined by Dr. Kara Ayers, Jason Harris, and Matt Shedd to unpack the political claim linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism. Together, they explore why autism has become a cultural and political “boogeyman” and how misinformation harms autistic people, women, and new parents. The conversation delves into the lingering “refrigerator mother” myth, the persistence of ableism, and the ways autistic humor and culture challenge stigma.
The panel also highlights why research literacy matters, the importance of finding community and rejecting shame after a new diagnosis, and why we need autistic people’s perspectives to help shape a better world.
00:00 – Cold open preview clips
01:02 – Welcome & introductions
03:45 – Why autism? Fear, politics, and the “boogeyman” narrative
07:25 – Mother-blaming, “refrigerator moms,” and ableism in diagnosis
11:10 – The harm of misinformation: policy contradictions & stigma
15:30 – Correlation is not causation: What the research really says
18:05 – Autistic humor and resilience in the face of stigma
21:20 – Pain, pregnancy, and the “just tough it out” message
25:15 – Finding community & rejecting shame after diagnosis
28:10 – Why the world needs autistic thinkers and voices
33:00 – “Props No More”: How disabled people are used as political props
37:20 – Closing reflections & where to learn more (Props No More, GADIM)