In a surprise press conference, President Donald Trump, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Dr. Mehmet Oz announced new federal actions claiming that Tylenol use during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism. The administration says the FDA will issue safety warnings, change acetaminophen labels, and launch a public campaign — but how accurate is this claim?
In this emergency episode of Spectrum Savvy, autistic advocate and host Kat breaks down:
What Trump, Kennedy, and Oz actually said about acetaminophen and autism
The latest scientific studies on prenatal Tylenol exposure and neurodevelopment
Why correlation doesn’t equal causation in autism research
Medical community reactions, including guidance from ACOG and pediatric experts
The administration’s claims about leucovorin as an autism treatment
What expecting parents and autistic families really need to know
This episode fact-checks the announcement, explores the real science behind acetaminophen and autism, and discusses the risks of misinformation.
17 Sept 2025
14: Finding Autistic Joy
Autism is often framed in terms of challenges—but joy is just as much a part of the story. In this episode of Spectrum Savvy, Kat explores the many forms of autistic joy, from the freedom of stimming to the passion of special interests, the comfort of sensory experiences, and the belonging found in community. Join us in celebrating the vibrant, joyful side of autistic life.
3 Sept 2025
13: The Disclosure Dilemma
So… you’ve got an autism diagnosis. Do you have to tell people? Short answer: nope. Long answer: maybe, sometimes, if it feels right.
In this week’s episode of Spectrum Savvy, we’re diving into the tricky world of disclosing autism to loved ones. We’ll talk about:
💬 Do you need to disclose (spoiler: no)
⚖️ The pros and cons of telling people
🛠️ How to actually start the conversation without spiraling
😬 What to do if it doesn’t go well (because yeah… that happens)
💌 And how to take care of yourself afterward
Whether you’re weighing whether to tell family, friends, or coworkers—or you’ve already blurted it out mid-conversation and instantly regretted it—this episode has your back.
27 Aug 2025
12: It's giving "girl autism"
It's finally time! We're finally talking about autism in women.
Why do so many autistic women and girls slip through the cracks? In this episode, we’re breaking down how masking, social expectations, and the infamous “good girl” archetype make autism harder to spot in women.
Grab your fun drink and your sweet treat and join me for a bit of science, a bit of ranting, and, as always, a whole lot of validation.
20 Aug 2025
11: It was never a phase, mom. (Special Interests)
Special interests aren’t just hobbies — they’re lifelines, survival tools, and sometimes even superpowers. In this Spectrum Savvy episode, Kat unpacks the science behind autistic passions, why they’re so often misunderstood, and how they shape identity, learning, and resilience. Whether it’s dinosaurs, data sets, or your favorite TV show, this quick deep dive will leave you rethinking what it really means to go “all in.”
Don't worry-- we'll be back to explore this topic more in-depth!
13 Aug 2025
10: The Lowdown on Meltdowns
When you think of an autistic meltdown, you might picture a child in distress. But what happens when that child grows up? In this episode of Spectrum Savvy, host Kat breaks down what meltdowns, shutdowns, and burnout look like in autistic adulthood—how they differ from childhood presentations, why they’re so often misunderstood, and the toll society’s “just cope” expectations take on our mental and physical health.
From sensory overload to masking fatigue, we’ll explore the real causes of meltdowns in grown autistic people, the different ways they can manifest, and practical strategies for prevention and support. Whether you’re autistic yourself, a loved one, or an ally, this episode offers validation, understanding, and tools for creating environments where meltdowns are met with compassion instead of judgment.
6 Aug 2025
9: The DSM-5 called and they want their characters back | Autism coding in the media
Ever spot a character on TV and think, “That’s an autistic person in denial—and so is the writer”? In this episode of Spectrum Savvy, we dive into the wide, wonderful (and occasionally cringe-inducing) world of autism coding in media. From the beloved (Castiel, Spencer Reid) to the painfully stereotypical (looking at you, Sheldon Cooper), we explore how autistic traits show up in characters—whether it’s intentional, accidental, or just vibes.
We’ll unpack what autism coding actually is, why fandom headcanons matter, and how seeing yourself (even in the weirdest ways) can be both validating and healing. Plus, we laugh a little, side-eye some bad representation, and celebrate the weird little guys who made us feel seen before we had the words for it.
Email me: kaitlinspectrumsavvy@gmail.com
30 Jul 2025
8: RFK Jr. and Trump's New Eugenics
In this powerful and unsettling episode, Kat investigates the disturbing rhetoric coming from two of the most visible political figures in the country—Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump—and how their statements about autism, mental illness, and disability echo dangerous ideologies from history.
With the use of archival audio and video clips, Kat examines how both men have promoted long-debunked claims linking vaccines to autism, while simultaneously pushing policies that threaten the autonomy, dignity, and safety of disabled people. From RFK Jr.’s Senate confirmation hearing to Trump’s recent executive order calling for the forced institutionalization of unhoused and mentally ill Americans, this episode connects the dots between misinformation, political power, and systemic dehumanization.
Drawing parallels to early 20th-century propaganda that laid the groundwork for atrocities against disabled people, RFK and Trump’s New Eugenics is a sobering reminder of how ableism can be weaponized—and why we must confront it head-on.
Content Warning: Discussion of eugenics, institutionalization, and ableist rhetoric.
SOURCE FOR DONALD TRUMP'S QUOTE ABOUT HIS DISABLED NEPHEW:
https://time.com/7002003/donald-trump-disabled-americans-all-in-the-family/
23 Jul 2025
7: Going undercover as an anti-vaxxer
In this episode, we’re busting one of the most stubborn and harmful myths of the modern era: the idea that vaccines cause autism. (Spoiler alert: they don’t. Like, really don’t.)
But we’re not just talking science — we’re going undercover.
To understand how this myth spreads today, I infiltrated anti-vaccine Facebook groups and dove headfirst into the world of conspiracy posts, misinformation spirals, and momfluencers with a vendetta against the MMR shot. What I found was frustrating, sometimes bizarre, and honestly… kind of enlightening.
We’ll trace this myth back to its messy origins in Andrew Wakefield’s now-discredited study, explore how media and celebrity influence fanned the flames, and take a hard look at the deeper ableism that made autism the target in the first place.
Whether you’re a science nerd, a concerned parent, or just someone who likes myth-busting with a side of digital sleuthing, this one’s for you.
Truth, vaccines, and neurodiversity — let’s get into it.
16 Jul 2025
6: The First Victims of the Holocaust
Before the gas chambers of Auschwitz, there was Tiergartenstraße 4. In this powerful and sobering episode, host Kat uncovers the little-known history of the Nazi T4 Program—a state-sponsored campaign of mass murder targeting disabled children, adults, psychiatric patients, and war veterans deemed “unworthy of life.” We explore how T4 laid the groundwork for the Holocaust, not just in its methods, but in its ideology. You’ll learn how autistic children were among the first to be killed, how American eugenics policies influenced Nazi doctors, and why these atrocities were considered "mercy deaths" by those who carried them out.
This episode also examines the deeply complicated legacy of Hans Asperger, the Austrian pediatrician whose name became synonymous with a type of autism, and whose involvement in the T4 system was hidden for decades.
9 Jul 2025
5: Injustice in America
In this episode, we dive into the dark and often overlooked history of autism diagnoses in the United States. From the early days of forced institutionalization and eugenics-driven sterilization policies to the controversial rise of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), we explore how systems meant to "treat" or "manage" autistic people often caused deep harm.
We take a hard look at the legacy of Willowbrook State School—a notorious institution where thousands of disabled individuals, many of them autistic, were subjected to abuse, neglect, and medical experimentation. This scandal, and others like it, forced the nation to reckon with how it treated its most vulnerable citizens.
Join us as we trace the roots of ableist policies, examine the medicalization of autism, and highlight the voices of survivors and advocates working to reclaim the narrative and demand justice. This is not just history—it’s a call to remember and to do better.
Content Warning: This episode discusses topics including institutional abuse, forced sterilization, and medical neglect, which may be distressing to some listeners. Please take care while listening.
2 Jul 2025
4: Maskin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
A continuation of last week's debrief on autism masking and unmasking!
In this episode, Kat goes over grief, female socialization, and addresses the "is masking a privilege?" debate. She then fields questions about masking and unmasking-- from autistic adults and neurotypical adults alike!
For more content, you can find me on Instagram at @spectrum.savvy or on TikTok and YouTube at @spectrumsavvy
Love y'all, be good!
25 Jun 2025
3: WTF even is masking?
Join Kat this week as she gives you an overview of autistic masking and shares some of her own experiences! This episode is part one of the pod's first-ever multi-part series!
In this episode, Kat:
Defines masking, gives some examples of common masking behaviors, rants about ableism, and addresses the "um, everyone does this" crowd.
18 Jun 2025
2: Surviving Burnout
"What is even happening to me right now?"
Lots of autistic adults say that they got diagnosed with autism because of burnout...but what does that even mean?
In this episode, Kat defines autistic burnout, talks about her own burnout experience, and gives you easy-to-follow tips to recover! She also gives advice to friends, partners, and family members who want to help their loved one recover from autistic burnout.
11 Jun 2025
1: Wait, am I autistic?
"Am I autistic?" "Could I be autistic?" "What even IS autism?"
If you've googled any of those things in the past few years, you're in the right place.
In this episode, Kat takes you through the DSM-5 definition of "autism spectrum disorder", and discusses traits that would lead to a diagnosis. She then explains a few common reasons why people go undiagnosed, as well as why she was not diagnosed until adulthood.
Creator Spotlight: This week, I'm highlighting Kaylie's Etsy shop! Kaylie makes the cutest stickers and bookmarks in the world. She also recently added communication cards and candles to her shop. If you feel like supporting an autistic creator, please check out her shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/kaybowzie
28 May 2025
Coming Soon: Spectrum Savvy
Spectrum Savvy: Your survival guide to adulthood on the autism spectrum will be premiering in June!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Contact Spectrum Savvy
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Spectrum Savvy?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
