Autism

  Why is autism considered a neurological disorder if all neurological structures appear to be fine in autistic persons?
Dear Maricarmen:
Autism is a behavioral disorder.  Whether or not there is a structural defect is really unknown.  By the resolution of the test that we can perform now, there seems to be no structural lesion.  However, our current methods may not be sensitive enough to pick up small minute neuronal migrational disorders, and the like.  Thus, whether or not autism has a structural basis is not known.  Most feel that it is a biochemical imbalance, whether this has a structural correlate is unknown.  Let us know if we can be of further help.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS