E57: Sir Simon Baron-Cohen

In this episode, Ben sits down with Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the most influential, leading figures in Autism research. As the director of Cambridge’s Autism Research Centre, Simon has spent 40 years shaping how we understand autism, from pioneering diagnostic tools to exploring the genetics behind neurodiversity.

They unpack the history of autism diagnoses, why prevalence has risen, and the shifting perception from ‘disorder’ to celebrating a different way of thinking. Plus, they dive into some of the most debated topics in autism research - The complexities of empathy and the ethical challenges of genetic studies.

This is the First of a Two Part Episode - tune in for some groundbreaking research next week in Part Two!