Bio-Individuality, Autism, and the Power of Asking Better Questions About Health

When it comes to conversations about health, one truth always rises to the surface: there is never just one root cause.

In recent weeks, the news has been filled with headlines about a possible link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism. For many, this feels like groundbreaking information. But for those of us in the holistic space, it’s a conversation that’s been quietly circulating for years.

I’ve been in this space long enough to see patterns. Before I ever stepped into functional nutrition, I worked as a behavioral and early intervention therapist with children on the autism spectrum. I worked with families across socioeconomic backgrounds wealthy, middle-class, low-income and I saw the same thing over and over again: autism, ADHD, and developmental delays were not tied to one common denominator. There wasn’t a single “cause” that explained everything. That reality opened my eyes and shaped the work I do today.

Why the Headlines Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Hearing that a widely used over-the-counter medicine like Tylenol could be linked to autism understandably stirs fear, anger, and confusion. It challenges what many of us thought we knew and can trigger a defensive reaction: deny, dismiss, or ignore.

But here’s the thing—science is not a belief system. Science is about asking better questions. If new studies or government statements raise possibilities, that should be an invitation to inquire further, not shut down the conversation. In fact, the very foundation of science is the willingness to test, explore, and challenge assumptions.

And while Tylenol may be one factor, it is never the only factor. Which brings me back to the principle of bio-individuality.

What Is Bio-Individuality?

Bio-individuality is the recognition that every person is unique. No two people share the same genetic makeup, health history, lifestyle, or environment. Even two children raised in the same household can have very different health outcomes because their bodies respond differently.

This concept reminds us that no one-size-fits-all solution can ever capture the complexity of human health. It’s why generic protocols often fall short and why personalized care rooted in your own blueprint can be so transformative.

When we start to look at disease and wellness through this lens, a bigger, more nuanced picture emerges.

Six Key Factors That Influence Health

In my work, I often look at six major categories that shape our health outcomes. Together, they highlight why no single factor whether Tylenol, diet, or genetics—tells the whole story.

1. Genetics and Epigenetics
   Our genes provide a foundation, but they are not destiny. Through a process called epigenetics, environmental and lifestyle factors can “switch on” or “switch off” certain genes. For example, someone may have a genetic predisposition for a condition, but whether or not it develops often depends on their environment and habits.

2. Environmental Exposures
   We live in a world full of toxins pollution in the air we breathe, heavy metals in our water, chemicals in our food supply. These exposures add up and can weaken the body’s natural defenses. Even ingredients in vaccines or medications are designed to provoke immune responses, which can have ripple effects depending on a person’s unique constitution

3. Infections
   Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections can all trigger immune responses that alter the body’s balance. For some, an infection may be temporary. For others, it can leave lasting effects that influence everything from digestion to brain function.

4. Nutrition Food is one of the most direct ways we influence our bodies. Nutrient-dense foods can stabilize energy, mood, and immunity, while processed or inflammatory foods can increase risks for gut issues, fatigue, anxiety, and more. Nutrition literally fuels the body or depletes it.

5. Lifestyle Habits Sleep, movement, stress management, and daily routines are often overlooked, but they create the environment in which healing or disease takes place. A body that is constantly under stress, under-rested, or sedentary has fewer resources for repair.

6. Spirituality and Purpose This may not sound medical, but it matters. A sense of connection, meaning, or spiritual grounding has been linked to better mental health and even physical outcomes. Conversely, feeling lost, isolated, or purposeless can contribute to anxiety, depression, and physical manifestations of stress many of which show up in the gut.

   Together, these six factors paint a fuller picture of what contributes to disease or wellness. They also underscore why it’s unhelpful to look for one single explanation for complex conditions like autism.

The Bigger Picture

Autism rates have risen dramatically over the last few decades. In the 1970s, studies suggested about 4 in 10,000 children were diagnosed. Today, it’s closer to 1 in 31. That kind of shift doesn’t come from a single cause it comes from a constellation of influences that we’re only beginning to understand.

Which is why conversations like this matter. They remind us that we must look beyond the headlines, beyond the quick fixes, and start asking: What is really happening here? What factors can we influence? What questions haven’t we asked yet?

Leading Your Own Health

At the end of the day, no doctor, researcher, or authority should make health decisions for you. Those choices belong to you. Your body, your choice. Empowerment comes from information sometimes information that challenges what you’ve always believed.

Being open to new perspectives doesn’t mean abandoning your values. It means being willing to explore, learn, and decide for yourself. And yes—it also means giving yourself permission to change your mind when new information comes along.

This is what it looks like to lead your health with clarity, confidence, and conviction.

💡Want to hear the full conversation and dive deeper into these ideas?