Autism researcher rejects 30-year theory over empathy misconception

Professor Simon Baron-Cohen told The Guardian on July 5 that he regrets coining the "extreme male brain" framework and no longer considers male/female brain labels useful. He argues the phrase spawns reductive coverage—chiefly the false claim that autistic people lack empathy. Autistic individuals differ in cognitive empathy but share affective empathy with non-autistic people, Baron-Cohen clarified. Cambridge University's web pages continue promoting the theory without revision, creating a gap between his current stance and institutional messaging.