Expert tells of regret at autism 'male brain' label

The scientist who pioneered the "extreme male brain" theory of autism has said he regrets characterising the condition in this way because the phrase lends itself to misunderstandings.

- Hannah Devlin

Prof Simon Baron-Cohen's theory that autistic people tend strongly towards systemising over empathising has been hugely influential in shaping the popular perception of autism over the past two decades. The underlying science had stood the test of time, but he said he now viewed the "extreme male brain" label as unhelpful.

"Some of those terms were very easily misunderstood and so I do regret that," he said. "It can lead to simplistic headlines like 'autistic people lack empathy', which is not true.

"Some of that language, like male brain and female brain, I just don't think it's useful today."

Speaking to the Guardian before the announcement of a £26m gift to Cambridge University by the US philanthropist Lisa Yang, Baron-Cohen said the funding would be used for research guided by the priorities of the autistic community.

It is one of the largest ever donations to a UK university for autism research and will be used to create the K Lisa Yang Centre for Autism Research, and a clinical autism centre in a future Cambridge children's hospital, both of which Baron-Cohen will oversee.

The research centre is expected to focus on improving life expectancy and health outcomes for autistic people, earlier diagnosis and practical solutions to improve quality of life. The physical health of autistic people, in particular, is an area that has been overlooked, according to Baron-Cohen.