Wisconsin: 1 in 26 kids is autistic; Tylenol litigation ongoing

Sept 11, 2025, News Break: Wisconsin Parents Desperate for Answers as Autism Rates Climb to 1 in 26 — Higher Than the U.S. Avg

https://www.newsbreak.com/jim-delillo-1721389/4222641273136-autism-rates-of-children-in-wisconsin-increase-since-2020-now-1-in-26 

Wisconsin’s rate is now higher than the national average—leaving parents desperate for answers.

For Wisconsin parents, the numbers feel like a gut punch: 1 in 26 children in our state is now identified with autism — a rate higher than the national average. Behind every statistic is a mom or dad lying awake at night, asking the same questions:

Why here?

Why my child?

And why are the lawsuits that promised answers falling apart in court?

A federal judge overseeing the national Tylenol/acetaminophen litigation excluded plaintiffs’ key experts and later entered summary judgment, leading to dismissal of hundreds of cases for lack of reliable scientific evidence—while Wisconsin’s latest CDC-tracked data show 3.8% (1 in 26) of 8-year-olds identified with autism, higher than the U.S. average of 1 in 31 

What the Courts Actually Did

MDL background: All federal Tylenol autism/ADHD cases were centralized in MDL No. 3043 in the Southern District of New York. In December 2023 and July 2024, Judge Denise Cote issued Daubert orders excluding plaintiffs’ general-causation experts; in August 2024, she granted summary judgment, effectively dismissing the remaining federal cases.

News coverage: Major outlets summarized the rulings, noting that around 550 federal cases were dismissed when experts were excluded and that later ADHD claims also failed on similar grounds (Reuters).

Appeal status: As of September 2025, Second Circuit appeals of the federal dismissal remain pending; no decision has revived the MDL to date (court docket overview).

Bottom line: In federal court, the cases were dismissed because the expert evidence did not meet reliability standards—not because a jury weighed the science and ruled on causation.

What Leading Medical Groups Say Right Now

A 2014 study found that "Maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk for HKDs and ADHD-like behaviors in children." The study was the first of its kind, and concluded that, "because the exposure and outcome are frequent, these results are of public health relevance but further investigations are needed."

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) continues to state there is no clear evidence that prudent acetaminophen use in pregnancy causes fetal developmental issues, and it remains one of the few recommended pain/fever options during pregnancy when used as directed (ACOG statement; ACOG patient guidance on headaches & pregnancy: safe OTCs).

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) likewise says the evidence does not establish a causal relationship and reassures patients about acetaminophen’s safety when appropriately used (SMFM statement).

Extensive contemporary studies—e.g., a 2024 Swedish sibling-comparison analysis—found no causal link between prenatal acetaminophen and autism/ADHD (JAMA, 2024).

Wisconsin by the Numbers (Latest CDC-Tracked Year: 2022)

Wisconsin prevalence (8-year-olds): 3.8% (1 in 26) in the southeastern surveillance area, up from 2.8% (1 in 36) in 2020, and higher than the U.S. average of 3.2% (1 in 31) (Waisman Center/WISADDS summary; CDC Community Report: see Wisconsin section noting the rise from 2.8% to 3.8% (PDF).

National context: CDC’s 16-site network reports 1 in 31 (3.2%) among 8-year-olds in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020 (CDC MMWR 2025).

Important nuance: CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network reports site-based estimates; Wisconsin’s figures reflect southeastern Wisconsin (not the entire state), but they are the best standardized numbers available for planning services (CDC explains the site design in its report: MMWR 2025).

What This Means for Wisconsin Families

Legal reality: If you live in Wisconsin and were part of, or considering joining, the federal Tylenol MDL, those claims were dismissed due to insufficient expert evidence. Some state-court cases in other states may continue, but there’s no Wisconsin-specific ruling establishing causation. Always consult a qualified attorney for legal advice about your situation (see MDL summary:

Healthcare guidance: Do not change medications during pregnancy based on headlines. Discuss risks/benefits with your clinician; ACOG still lists acetaminophen as an acceptable option when used as directed