Autistic Brain vs. Neurotypical Brain

Autism is generally understood today to be a developmental disability that can affect how those with it communicate, behave and interact with other people, among other things.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very complicated host of different neurodevelopment disorders that are very complex. And while the symptoms and signs of ASD can vary greatly from one individual to the next, it is generally characterized by two main behaviors — repetitive actions and restricted interests.

These may exhibit themselves in many ways, such as having trouble making social connections or interacting with others, facing challenges expressing how they feel or what they need, being overly focused on certain subjects or objects, and not having the ability to make solid eye contact.

There are many different factors that determine whether someone will have ASD, some of which are genetic and some of which are environmental.

No matter what the root cause, and what the symptoms, the brain of an autistic individual is different than that of a neurotypical person.

At the same time, differences in the brain structure of an individual with autism are not always easy to identify. Advanced imaging technology does allow doctors to measure differences, but those differences alone can’t diagnose someone with autism.

Below, we’ll look at some of the key differences of an autistic brain vs a neurotypical brain.

Table Of Contents

Left-Right Hemispheres

The brain has two hemispheres or halves, known as the left and right hemispheres. You may hear someone describe themselves as “left-brained” or “right-brained,” and that refers to the typical way they think and operate.

Asymmetry between the two hemispheres is important for the normal functioning of the brain. In the autistic brain, there may be more symmetry than normal and more difficulty in communicating between the two hemispheres.

Many brain functions are dominated by one side or the other. Speech, for example, is processed in the left hemisphere.

People who have ASD have been found by some studies to have reduced lateralization in their leftward language. This could help to explain why people with autism struggle with typical communication.

Other Structural Parts of the Brain

Other studies have found some differences in the structural parts of the autistic brain vs. a neurotypical brain.

For instance, adolescents and children on the autism spectrum typically have a hippocampus that’s larger than individuals without ASD. This part of the brain forms and then stores memories, which is why people with autism may have the uncanny ability to recall even minute details better than others.

The size of the brain’s amygdala often differs in the autistic brain vs. a neurotypical brain. The results of what this means, though, have been conflicting among different studies.

Some studies have discovered that the autistic brain has less brain tissues in some of the cerebellum. This structure that’s at the base of the skull doesn’t just coordinate body movements but also plays a large role in social interaction and cognition.

Finally, the outer layer of the brain, known as the cortex, also tends to have different thickness patters in people who do and don’t have autism. This part of the brain is responsible for information processing — another possible reason why autistic people face challenges that neurotypical individuals don’t.

Connectivity Differences

The brain is made up of multiple parts, and it’s essential for these parts to connect and communicate with each other to function properly. The autistic brain shows different abilities in these connections, which could help explain some of the symptoms of the disorder.

Some of the brain’s networks have lower connectivity, and this is seen especially in any pattern that involves two regions of the brain that are further apart from each other.

One researcher, University of Utah professor of radiology Jeffrey S. Anderson, explains that there’s “short-range over-connectivity and long-range under-connectivity” in the autistic brain. This means that individuals face more challenges with tasks that “require us to combine or assimilate information in different parts of the brain, like social function and complex motor tasks.”

In the same vein, when a specific task that involves a single region of the brain is involved — such as paying attention to minute details — people with autism typically excel.

Blue Gems ABA Helps Children with Autism Build Skills

Research has shown that when looking at the autistic brain vs. neurotypical brain closely with advanced technological imaging, many differences can be observed. While these differences alone cannot be used to diagnose ASD, they may help to explain some of the symptoms of autism.

If your child is diagnosed with autism, it’s important to get them the support they need from a young age. Today, applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy, is a leading treatment for ASD.

At Blue Gems ABA, our team of licensed and experienced BCBAs are dedicated to working one-on-one with children with autism to help them build the social, communication and everyday life skills they need to succeed.

To learn more, please contact us today.