SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Kristi Clark and her husband Brent have three kids- Chloe, Cooper and Calvin. Both of their sons are on the autism spectrum.
Following Monday’s announcement by the Trump administration, Clark holds fast to her beliefs.
“I think that when you choose to have children, you just have to accept your kids for who they are. You know, we are firm believers in our household that our children were born this way,” said Kristi Clark, mom of three.
Despite the research referenced in Trump’s announcement, the chief medical officer at Sanford Health says other studies have shown the opposite results.
“There’s actually a very good article in the Journal of the American Medical Association last year, in April, that went over 2.5 million children and did not find a causal relationship between the use of Tylenol, or acetaminophen, as it’s known generically, and things like autism or ADHD,” said Dr. Jeremy Cauwels, chief medical officer at Sanford Health.
When Clark’s boys were diagnosed, she was told it was not because of the choices she made during pregnancy, but rather because of genetics. Despite knowing that, the guilt remains.
“I’ve cried about it,” said Clark. “It’s very upsetting to think that you could be, that you’re the problem.”
As the cause of autism continues to be explored, Dr. Cauwels wants concerned parents to rest assured in this:
“I think the message to any mom as they come through and find out what makes their baby unique in this world, is that there are lots and lots of things that have an effect on your baby, most of which are completely out of your control,” said Cauwels.
So instead of placing blame on families, Clark wants the government to redirect efforts towards helping families.
“With all of this hubbub going around, all I can say is put it where it needs to be put. Give families like ours resources, help pay school aides better so they stay in their jobs, do these things. Because a lot of the rhetoric that’s going around right now, that’s not helpful,” said Clark.
