PreventAutism.org
Category 2
05
Autism increased at the same time that acetaminophen started replacing aspirin in the market
The amount of autism began to increase in the early 1980s, coinciding with the increase in acetaminophen use after aspirin was associated with Reye’s syndrome
06
Ratio of regressive to infantile autism shifted at the same time acetaminophen replaced aspirin for use in babies and children
The ratio of regressive to early-onset (infantile) autism rose at the same time as pediatric acetaminophen use rose after aspirin was associated with Reye’s syndrome
07
As direct-to-consumer advertising increased, use of acetaminophen and autism also rose in prevalence
The amount of autism steadily increased as direct-to-consumer advertising and perhaps other factors have driven up use of pharmaceutical products
Associations in Time
Associations in time are two or more things changing over the same time period. Evaluating these associations can provide valuable clues that suggest possible causal relationships.
The lines of evidence related to associations in time make up 12.5% of the total evidence.
*Correlation doesn’t necessarily prove causation, but correlation is necessary for causation to exist. Multiple correlations with numerous other lines of evidence can be conclusive.