Although the term “autism” seems to be everywhere these days, from news headlines to TV and movie characters to social media influencers, many parents still struggle to get the diagnosis they need for their children with autism or other developmental differences.
Can technology change the way autism and other developmental concerns are evaluated and diagnosed? Dr. Sharief Taraman absolutely believes it can.
Dr. Taraman, pediatric neurologist and CEO of Cognoa, is featured on the latest episode of “What We Don’t Know with Dr. Tracy,” where he talks with cultural analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson about how technology is transforming the autism landscape.
Watch the first episode here:
“Innovation and Autism with Dr. Sharief Taraman,” Part 1 Program Outline:
00:00 – 00-04 – Introduction and Overview of the Podcast
00:05 – 02:01 – Dr. Sharief Taraman’s Background and Introduction
02:01 – 03:09 – Defining Autism and Its Characteristics
03:10 – 06:11 – Common Signs of Autism and Parental Awareness
06:12 – 08:39 – Neurotypical vs. Neurodivergent and the Importance of Diversity
08:40 – 14:24 – Increasing Autism Diagnoses and Myths Surrounding Causes
14:25 – 22:50 – Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment
22:51 – 27:01 – Strategies for Parental Advocacy and Collaboration
27:02 – 27:16 – The Role of Technology in Autism Treatment
27:16 – 37:38 – The Importance of Early Intervention and Compassion in Healthcare 37:38 -38:39 – Conclusion and Preview of Part 2
In “Innovation and Autism,” Taraman talks about what autism is and what it isn’t, why the definitions and causes of autism often seem challenging to pin down, and provides a clear description of autism and the signs for parents and clinicians to look out for.
Taraman also talks about how the alarming shortage of specialists has left many children waiting for crucial diagnoses and treatments—and how technology could change that reality.
The program explains how innovative advances in AI, such as Canvas Dx, are stepping in to equip a larger pool of clinicians to diagnose children sooner, more accurately, and without bias. The discussion dives into the challenges families face when seeking help, the impact of healthcare limitations, and the hopeful future that lies ahead.
This episode is essential listening for anyone wanting to learn about autism and for parents who are struggling to get a diagnosis or treatment for their child, as well as for clinicians, educators, and anyone who works with children.
The program “What We Don’t Know”, created by cultural analyst and TV/radio personality Dr. Tracy Pearson, offers “unfiltered insights from genuine experts across various fields” without the additional commentary of the popular corporate news channels. More of her content can be found on her YouTube channel and Patreon page.
