Dr. Emily Casanova, a professor at Loyola University, delves into the intriguing connections between autism and our Neanderthal heritage. She reveals that autism spectrum disorders have roots tracing back 40,000 years through human-neanderthal hybridization. The conversation tackles the complexities of finding genetic links to autism and challenges conventional definitions of species. Dr. Casanova also discusses the interplay between genetics, environmental factors, and culture in shaping our understanding of autism, emphasizing the diverse experiences within the autistic community.