This evidence brief examines childhood autism, including claims around paracetamol and vaccination. It addresses misinformation and explains the science that demonstrates that there is no evidence for a causal link between autism and paracetamol, or autism and vaccines. It outlines the causes of autism, autism trends in Australia and factors linked to the rising prevalence of autism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (often referred to as autism or ASD) is the collective diagnostic term for multiple congenital neurodevelopmental conditions characterised by persistent social interaction and communication difficulties and restricted behavioural patterns. There is no single cause of autism, it comes from a complex interplay between genes and environmental factors that can influence development, usually in utero.