People with autism display differences in the structure of several areas of the brain, and differences in electrochemical activity. A number of genes seem to be involved in the disorder, perhaps causing a disruption of brain development before birth. Parents DO NOT cause autism, as it was believed many years ago. Autism is not a psychological disorder. 

Compare the brain of a person with autism (left) to a normal brain (right) in this MRI image. Although the cerebellum is smaller in the autistic brain, other differences may also exist in autism. It is hoped that clues like this may point the way to a cause.

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