Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Hospital announced the first autism center in the Middle East. Photo: Hebrew University.

JNS.org – Israel’s Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital have announced the establishment of the Middle East’s first center dedicated to autism research and services.

The Autism Center will bring together “cutting-edge research, clinical services, state of the art training, and education for professionals and parents in the community,” Hebrew University said. The organizers hope that the research will lead to better clinical practice, public programming, and policies to support those who suffer from autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs in about 1 in 68 children, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. ASD is five times more likely among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189).

Prof. David Lichtstein, dean of the medicine faculty at Hebrew University, said he hopes the combined expertise at both institutions behind the initiative will “be positioned to achieve important breakthroughs in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of autism.”