Credo: Simon Baron-Cohen

There is a mystery to autism. I think it can be explained, but we don't have all the answers yet.

Autism is fascinating because its cause is likely to be fundamental to what makes us human. It affects self-awareness, the ability to communicate and empathise, and how we "systemise" – how we figure out how things work.

The word 'disorder' is too negative. I use the word "condition" – autism can be disabling, but not all of its features involve disability. Some of them are strengths.

The majority of people with autism have exceptional attention to detail. Sometimes that's also expressed as a talent in drawing, music or in spotting patterns in mathematics. It's important to value those aspects of autism that are special, which can sometimes give rise to talents.

The highlight of my career has been meeting students who I'm meant to be teaching, but they teach me just as much, if not more.

It worries me slightly when people talk about 'curing' autism or eradicating it. I am in favour of treatments that target the disabling aspects of autism. In the future, I hope we'll have such well-designed methods for supporting people with autism that their strengths can blossom.

I have a busy life. I've got three children and I play bass guitar in a blues and soul band called Deep Blue. On Thursday nights we get together in somebody's house and make music. It's rather fun.

Even if I wasn't being paid to do it as a job, I would still be doing this research. It's driven by curiosity and interest rather than obligation.

Simon Baron-Cohen is professor of developmental psychopathology at Cambridge University. The Autism Research Centre is hosting a concert at the Savoy Theatre on 5 October and an exhibition the ICA on 6 October. For information, go to www.autism researchcentre.com