[Hadassah On Call] Navigating the Autism Spectrum

Imagine a set of identical twins. One of them has autism. The other doesn’t.

This is the classic example illustrating the complexity of the disorder. Is it genetic? Well, the twins have the same genes. Is it environmental? Well, the twins live in the same house and are exposed to the same environment.

When it comes to determining what causes autism, "There are many many questions still ahead of us," says Dr. Ariel Tenenbaum, head of the pediatric department and director of the Down syndrome clinic at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem and guest on the newest episode of Hadassah On Call.

Early detection and intervention are key with autism, according to Dr. Tenenbaum. And while the average age of diagnosis is three years old, there are signs parents can look out for as early as a few weeks or months.

The doctor also discusses the three main criteria for diagnosing autism, the use of artificial intelligence to identify early signs of the disorder and late diagnosis in adults.

He even explains what it really means to be “on the spectrum.”