The Center for Autism is a unique cooperation between Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center (formerly Assaf Harofeh Medical Center) and led by Prof. Ditza Zachor. The combination of a medical center and a parent's organization brings together professionalism and a comprehensive approach for treating the individual with autism and his/her family. The center, located in the Shamir Medical Center, provides services of diagnosis, treatment, research and dissemination of knowledge in the field of Autism for children, adolescents, adults, families and professionals. The multi-disciplinary team includes professionals from the fields of neurology, psychology, education and para-medical professions. One of the important goals of the center is developing innovative and effective models of treatments, based on knowledge gained from scientific research.
As advances in neuroscience, molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology and behavioral sciences are making inroads into understanding and addressing autism, the Center draws from all these disciplines to conduct collaborative research with various academic institutions in Israel. The Autism Center serves as an information resource for evaluation and treatment of autism for the entire country.