# Autism and the Brain

## Contents

- Introduction: Introducing the brain
- Anatomy of the brain:
  Overall shape
  - Explore the lobes
  - Explore structures
  - Development
  - Neurons and networks
- Anatomy of the brain in autism:

- Structure
- Integrating approaches
- Pathways, networks and development
- Conclusion

- Test your understanding:

- Question 1
- Question 2
- Question 3
- Acknowledgements
- Help

## Autism and the Brain: Anatomy of the brain in autism

### Pathways, networks and development

Autism is a condition in which the person’s behavioural and cognitive development follows a path that is markedly atypical. These differences on the behavioural and cognitive level are thought to be related to differences in the development of the brain.

Some people on the autism spectrum display clear evidence of disruption to brain organisation. For example, reports suggest that up to 60% of those with classic autism are also epileptic. However, many people on the autism spectrum appear to develop normally during early infancy when major organisational features of the brain appear. Sensory and motor skills develop as expected. It is only when more complex social and cognitive skills are required that the divergence from the normal trajectory becomes more apparent. Typically, this will be somewhere in the 2nd to 3rd year of life.

Click on each of the three images below for further information.

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