Docology Podcast
Docology Podcast
Ep08: What Really Causes Autism?
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Ep08: What Really Causes Autism?

Autism affects millions, but what do we really know about what causes it? Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg and I discuss the topic and more in the latest episode.

RFK Jr., the Health & Human Services Secretary, says he’s going to solve the mystery of what causes autism by September - five months from this writing. That would be remarkable, given that researchers have been working for over five decades without reaching a final conclusion.

Kennedy has long been a proponent of the theory that vaccines cause autism – a concept that has been debunked time and again by scientists. Some people are concerned that he plans to “cook the books,” and use suspect methods to validate his preconceived, incredibly wrong idea. Especially because he has hired a longtime vaccine opponent, David Geier, to lead a government study of possible links between vaccines and autism. Even though Geier is not a doctor, and has actually been sanctioned for practicing medicine without a license.

So that’s our topic of investigation today: what DO we know about autism? What remains for us to understand?

Our guest actually knows what she’s talking about. Dr. Helen Tager-Flusberg has spent over 45 years researching autism. She leads the Center for Autism Research Excellence at Boston University and is the former president of the International Society for Autism Research.

Missed the full episode? You can listen to the episode here on Substack or check out on YT here

My biggest takeaways from the conversation? Check them out below!

Let us know what YOU think – and be sure to subscribe!

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