Do autistic people feel empathy? How is autism different to psychopathy? Can you improve cognitive empathy?

Professor Simon Baron-Cohen releases the Spectrum 10k on the Thoughty Auti Podcast - The largest study EVER in the UK!

Funded by the Welcome Trust, the study aims to add to the international effort to identify autism-related genes. Severe mental health, suicidality, bullying and social isolation are all too common in autistic people. This research may help isolate the genetic and life-experience factors from each other - allowing scientists to push policy-makers for better support systems and inclusion for autistic people.

Learn more at - www.autismresearchcentre.com

In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to Professor Simon Baron-Cohen - Director of the Cambridge Autism Research Centre and Professor of Developmental Psychopathology. The recent book 'The Pattern Seekers: A New Theory of Human Invention' is one of many published works Baron-Cohen has written on autism. In 1995, he formulated The Theory Of Mind theory of autism, and in 1997 he published the Prenatal Sex Steroid Theory of autism.

Simon and Thomas start off their chat with a dive into the reasons behind the Spectrum 10k, addressing the common fears around genetic research. They also touch on Simon's background and reasons for studying autism, before addressing the two general types of autism research - Causes & Applied research.

Empathy is a hot topic for anyone interested in autism. Simon explains the difference between Cognitive Empathy and Affective Empathy, highlighting the common misconceptions around it. Thomas draws on his teaching experience and his own life to give his personal take on empathy in autistic people.

The Professor describes his concepts of empathising and systemising from his view as an autism-researcher, noting that autistic people tend to fall into 2 main brain-types: Type S or Type Extreme S. Furthermore, the two point to natural selection as a possible source of autism genes... due to the notable strengths in innovation.

The E-S Theory has received heavy criticism due to pointing out the average sex differences in the brain types, described as Neurogendering or discriminatory in nature by some feminist groups. Thomas notes the importance of separating the social from the science, and Simon explains his stance on this criticism.

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Simon's Links:-

Twitter - https://twitter.com/sbaroncohen

TEDX Empathy Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXcU8x_xK18

The Pattern Seekers Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68mGRb-Mzjc

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