Episode Overview

Podcast: The Charlie Kirk Show
Episode Title: Is Tylenol Causing Autism? and Other Autism Questions
Date: November 29, 2025
Host: Charlie Kirk (with Andrew Colvett and Riley Marty)
Guest: Dr. Richard Fry (Pediatric Neurologist, Director of Research at Rossignol Medical Center, President of Autism Discovery and Treatment Foundation)

This episode delves deeply into the causes, diagnostics, treatments, and controversies surrounding autism, including new findings on folate metabolism, the role of Leucovorin, prenatal risks, the link between Tylenol and autism, and the ever-present vaccine debate. The discussion features expert insights from Dr. Richard Fry, practical questions from the host team, and advice for parents seeking help for their children.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Fry’s Path into Autism Research

• Autism “found him”: Dr. Fry began by treating learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia, but increasing cases in the early 2000s led him to focus on autism ([03:02]).
• Parents frequently approached him at a time when little was understood about treatment, spurring his interest in biomedical research.
• He observed that some autistic children had mitochondrial disorders and cerebral folate deficiency; treating them with leucovorin produced dramatic improvements in some cases ([06:28]).

Quote:

“Autism found me. ... As I saw more and more kids, I started to figure out other things to do.”
— Dr. Richard Fry ([03:02])

2. Autism Diagnosis and Rising Rates

• Diagnostic definitions (e.g., DSM changes) have broadened, partly accounting for increased autism prevalence, but Dr. Fry emphasizes it’s not just reclassification—real increases exist ([08:03]).
• American Psychiatric Association determines definitions, focusing only on behaviors, not underlying biology ([09:24]).
• Current diagnostics lack biological testing—still based on behavioral criteria.

3. Genetics vs. Environmental Causes

• Autism is highly heritable but not purely genetic. Many mutations are de novo (new, not inherited), and environmental exposures can induce these ([10:19]).
• Environmental toxins and maternal nutrition during pregnancy can influence risk.
• Epigenetic effects: The intrauterine environment (e.g., nutrient levels, maternal metabolism) plays a major role ([14:18]).
• Twin studies show differences linked to prenatal nutrient exposure (zinc, manganese), not just genetics ([16:56]).

Quote:

“We know that folate abnormalities will cause problems with replicating DNA. ... It’s a complex soup of things that have changed in our society.”
— Dr. Fry ([11:47] & [12:13])

4. Prenatal and Preconception Health

• Metabolic disorders (e.g., mitochondrial, inflammatory, thyroid, iron, carnitine) can be detected and addressed prenatally, even preconception ([21:30]).
• Supplements (folate, vitamin D, iron, carnitine) are important, and Dr. Fry suggests developing preconception health guides ([23:26]).
• Screenings can identify risk factors to optimize parental health before pregnancy.

5. Genetics: Mutations and Polymorphisms

• Genetic screens detect major mutations, but “polymorphisms” (small, common DNA changes) affect pathways in subtler ways ([25:09]).
• Treatment must consider both biochemistry and genetics for best results.

6. Male Bias in Autism

• Boys are diagnosed more often; possible reasons include hormonal factors, resilience from XX chromosome redundancy in girls, or innate neurological differences ([27:06]).

7. Leucovorin and Cerebral Folate Deficiency: A Breakthrough?

a) FDA Approval Misunderstood

• FDA has not approved Leucovorin for general autism, only for genetically confirmed cerebral folate deficiency (very rare—47 cases described) ([29:31]).
• Many autistic children may have insufficiency of cerebral folate, not the genetic deficiency.

b) Leucovorin’s Role

• Leucovorin is a bioactive form of folate (Vitamin B9), different from common folic acid supplements.
• Works by flooding the bloodstream with reduced folate, allowing backup transporters to bring it into the brain even if the primary transporter is blocked (e.g., by auto-antibodies) ([35:43]).
• Long-used in oncology to counteract chemotherapy side effects.
• Effects can be dramatic, especially in subgroups—cases of nonverbal autistic children beginning to talk after starting leucovorin ([38:49]).

c) Additives Matter

• Many children tolerate only specific Leucovorin brands; reactions often due to drug additives, not the medication itself ([49:04]).
• Dr. Fry now recommends using compounding pharmacies for high-quality, additive-free formulations ([50:41]).

d) Access to Resources

• Parents should visit autismdiscovery.org for recommended formulations and information ([51:30]).

Memorable Moment:

“The worst you can do is make expensive pee.”
— Dr. Fry, on the safety of water-soluble B vitamins ([36:24])

8. Tylenol and Autism: Cause for Concern?

• Large concern over Tylenol (acetaminophen) use during pregnancy: At high doses, it depletes glutathione (an antioxidant), and both autistic children and their mothers may have less glutathione, increasing vulnerability ([54:58]).
• Overuse (e.g., cold medications with hidden Tylenol) can cause liver failure.
• It’s not definitively causative for autism, but caution, especially during pregnancy, is advised—avoid excessive use, seek alternatives when possible ([57:57]).

9. Vaccines and Autism: Ongoing Debate

• Dr. Fry maintains an open perspective due to lack of definitive causality but acknowledges the questionable wisdom of inflexible, early, or bundled schedules ([61:23]).
• Points out parental coercion and the loss of choice/autonomy as major concerns ([62:57]).
• Emphasizes the need for collaboration and listening to parents rather than paternalism in medicine.

Quote:

“I’ve made my career listening to parents and listening to their concerns.”
— Dr. Fry ([62:57])

10. Parental Advocacy and Hope

• Parents must advocate for their children—seek second opinions if needed, find clinicians who “embrace” autism and pursue solutions ([68:00]).
• Early intervention is vital; treatments like Leucovorin may help some but not all—autism is complex.
• Encouragement for persistence; stories of hope and breakthrough included in Dr. Fry's book “The Folate Fix”.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Dr. Fry on the complexity of autism causes:
  “If you have a pathway that has a number of weak spots, weak links maybe need to be supplemented in one way or the other. It’s very complex.” ([25:06])

• On Leucovorin’s effect for a friend's nonverbal child:
  “All of a sudden, verbal skills are developing…and they are over the moon, ecstatic. ... All of a sudden watching and it’s because of this drug.”
  — Andrew Colvett ([37:40])

• On the importance of parent advocacy:
  “If you think there’s something wrong, don’t stop. If your doctor doesn’t seem concerned, then find another doctor that may be concerned.” ([69:05])

Important Timestamps

• 03:02 – Dr. Fry describes how he started working with autism patients.
• 08:03 – 12:37 – Diagnostic criteria, biology vs. behavior, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors.
• 14:18 – 17:53 – Prenatal environment, twin study on zinc/manganese, and physiological differences.
• 21:30 – 23:52 – Prenatal/preconception screening, supplements, and nutrition.
• 25:09 – 27:44 – Genetics, polymorphisms, sex differences.
• 29:31 – 36:24 – Leucovorin, FDA approval clarification, mechanism, safety of water-soluble vitamins.
• 49:04 – 51:30 – Leucovorin formulations, compounding pharmacy, and where parents can find reputable information.
• 54:58 – 59:54 – Tylenol, glutathione depletion, pregnancy risks, recommendations for pain medications.
• 61:23 – 66:08 – Vaccine debate, parent autonomy, frustration with medical establishment.
• 68:00 – 70:48 – Advice for worried parents, encouragement, success stories, and importance of advocacy.

Advice & Resources for Parents

• Advocate—Don’t hesitate to seek second, third, or even fiftieth medical opinions ([69:05]), and look for doctors versed in autism treatment.
• Screening—Ask for the M-CHAT autism screening tool from pediatricians ([67:14]).
• Education—Utilize parent-facing as well as technical resources at autismdiscovery.org.
• Treatments—Consult regarding Leucovorin (only certain subtypes, needs careful clinician oversight), ensure quality pharmaceutical sourcing.
• Prevention—Optimize preconception/prenatal nutrition and health; avoid excessive Tylenol and environmental toxins.
• Vaccines—Engage in open dialogue, understand mandates, and advocate for flexible scheduling if desired.

Final Memorable Message

“There is hope. Even if your kid is at a younger age, showing these signs, you intervene ... and just love your kids.”
— Andrew Colvett ([70:48])

Additional Reading

• Dr. Fry’s Book: “The Folate Fix” – includes science, advice, and parent stories.
• Resource: autismdiscovery.org for articles, videos, and formulation guides.

This summary covers the critical points, narrative flow, practical advice, and both the science and emotion conveyed in the episode, providing a rich, accessible resource for listeners and non-listeners alike.