Key facts
- Professor Simon Baron-Cohen regrets using the phrase 'extreme male brain' to describe his theory of autism.
- He believes the terminology can lead to misunderstandings, such as the false notion that autistic people lack empathy.
- A £26 million donation from philanthropist Lisa Yang will establish the K Lisa Yang Centre for Autism Research at Cambridge University.
- Research priorities will be guided by the autistic community, focusing on improving health outcomes and diagnosis.
- Recent research from Baron-Cohen's team indicates a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease among autistic individuals.
- The center will also investigate physical health issues specific to autistic women, including childbirth and menstrual distress.
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, known for his influential 'extreme male brain' theory of autism, has expressed regret over the terminology, stating it is unhelpful and prone to misinterpretation. He clarified that while the science behind his theory has endured, the phrasing can lead to simplistic conclusions, such as the myth that autistic individuals lack empathy. Baron-Cohen's research actually indicates differences in cognitive empathy but not affective empathy among autistic people.
This reflection comes as a significant £26 million ($34.5 million) donation from philanthropist Lisa Yang is set to establish the K Lisa Yang Centre for Autism Research at Cambridge University. Baron-Cohen will oversee this center, which aims to improve life expectancy, health outcomes, and diagnostic processes for autistic individuals, with research priorities shaped by the autistic community.
Recent, yet-to-be-peer-reviewed findings from Baron-Cohen's team suggest a substantially increased risk of cardiovascular disease in autistic individuals, with autistic women showing a 71% higher risk of serious cardiac events. This area, previously overlooked, emerged from dialogue with the autistic community. The research center will also explore physical health experiences specific to autistic women, such as childbirth and menstrual-related distress, potentially linked to sensory hypersensitivity or hormonal factors.
Baron-Cohen acknowledged past controversies surrounding his work, including the 'extreme male brain' theory's criticism for framing autism as an empathy deficit and reinforcing gender stereotypes. He also mentioned a previous backlash over a genome sequencing project that was dropped after community consultation. He now emphasizes the importance of early and continuous consultation with autistic people to guide research. The donation and Baron-Cohen's statements coincide with a continued rise in autism diagnoses, with nearly an 800% increase in the UK between 1998 and 2018, and a nearly 50% rise in referrals for children in a single year. Baron-Cohen dismissed the idea of 'overdiagnosis,' suggesting that GPs could potentially improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce waiting lists.