Childhood psychosis and computed tomographic brain scan findings.

Doctors took CT brain scans of children with autism and other psychoses. They looked for big, visible brain changes like enlarged ventricles. They compared these kids to healthy controls.

About one in four autistic kids showed large CT abnormalities. Enlarged frontal ventricles were common in all psychosis groups. The Evans ratio, a measure of ventricle size, was higher in every clinical group than in typical kids.

Pan et al. (2021) pooled decades of data and confirmed that neurological issues like epilepsy and macrocephaly are more common in autism. Their 2021 review includes the 1983 CT findings, showing the pattern holds across time.

Lange et al. (2015) used modern MRI to track the same kids over years. They found early brain over-growth, then loss of white matter and bigger ventricles. This updates the 1983 snapshot with a life-span picture.

Hardan et al. (2006) zoomed in on subtle orbital changes with MRI. They saw that only autistic kids with lower IQ had closer-set eyes. This refines the 1983 view that gross changes matter most.

If you see an autistic client with motor or language delays, remember that brain structure can differ. The 1983 CT study and later MRI work both flag ventricle size and head-size extremes. Use head-circumference checks and watch for seizures or low tone. These quick screens can guide referrals and explain uneven skill profiles.