Children with autism have a different brain pathway

Posted on July 28, 2018

Children with autism have a social reward circuit that is different from healthy children. During an MRI scan conducted, scientists discovered that the social rewards circuit of children with autism is not as active. This means that children with autism do not feel that social interactions are as rewarding.

This lack of social reward circuit activation in children with autism also correlates with difficulty in social interaction. This finding shows that social interaction interests children with autism lesser than healthy children.

Although this brain difference was a breakthrough, it also poses potential boundaries. A vicious cycle is produced, such that it may be difficult for children with autism to acquire normal social skills due to their brain circuit deficit.

This study provides insight into future social skills deficit treatment, whereby they can be aimed at rewiring brain circuits for more effective outcomes.


Category(s):Autism spectrum disorders

Source material from The Science Daily