Underconnectivity Theory
The researchers believe that abnormalities in the white matter of the brain that makes up the "cables" conecting the parts of the brain to each other, have resulted in a lack of coordination between brain areas. The new findings have led the researchers to propose a new theory of the basis of autism, called the Underconnectivity Theory, which proposes that autism is a system-wide brain disorder limiting coordination and integration between brain areas. The more neurological connections we help build for our children, the better their outcome. http://www.autismcoach.com/Underconnectivity%20Theory%20of%20Autism.htm
When the brain is actived there is less synchronization of activation between the two main language areas, known as Broca's and Wernicke's areas. The Broca's area, was much less active. Whether you hear someone else speak a word or you read the word yourself, it is the mental lexicon in Wernicke’s area that recognizes this word and correctly interprets it according to the context. For you then to pronounce this word yourself, this information must be transmitted via the arcuate fasciculus to a destination in Broca’s area, which plans the pronunciation process. Lastly, this information is routed to the motor cortex, which controls the muscles that you use to pronounce the word. http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_10/d_10_cr/d_10_cr_lan/d_10_cr_lan.html
However, another center, Wernicke's area, which does the processing of individual words, was more active. Abnormalities in the brain's white matter communication cables could lead to adaptations in the gray matter computing centers, sometimes resulting in superior free-standing abilities or superior ability in a localized skill. Meaning the neurons are freestanding and do not connect. http://www.autismcoach.com/Underconnectivity%20Theory%20of%20Autism.htm
There is a significant portion of people within the autism spectrum who are gifted or have extreme knowledge in a specialized area, such as music, art, or acquisition of information in an area of interest. The researchers believe that this approach might lead to the development of a cognitive behavioral therapy might be to stimulate the development of connections in these higher order systems, focusing on the emergence of conceptual connections, interpretive language and so on. The researchers also believe that eventually, pharmacological or genetic interventions will be developed to stimulate the growth of this circuitry. In my opinion, the most effective treatments currently available actively promote connecting our kids neurologically, such as applied behavior analysis and integrative therapies. The more we stimulate our kids, the more neurological connections they will make. We should also address the underlying biological reasons why our children aren't making sufficient connections during their early development and support them nutritionally to optimize their brain development. While we wait for researchers to develop new therapies, we must make the most of the therapies currently available to us, to help our children in the here and now. http://www.autismcoach.com/Underconnectivity%20Theory%20of%20Autism.htm
The researchers believe that abnormalities in the white matter of the brain that makes up the "cables" conecting the parts of the brain to each other, have resulted in a lack of coordination between brain areas. The new findings have led the researchers to propose a new theory of the basis of autism, called the Underconnectivity Theory, which proposes that autism is a system-wide brain disorder limiting coordination and integration between brain areas. The more neurological connections we help build for our children, the better their outcome. http://www.autismcoach.com/Underconnectivity%20Theory%20of%20Autism.htm
When the brain is actived there is less synchronization of activation between the two main language areas, known as Broca's and Wernicke's areas. The Broca's area, was much less active. Whether you hear someone else speak a word or you read the word yourself, it is the mental lexicon in Wernicke’s area that recognizes this word and correctly interprets it according to the context. For you then to pronounce this word yourself, this information must be transmitted via the arcuate fasciculus to a destination in Broca’s area, which plans the pronunciation process. Lastly, this information is routed to the motor cortex, which controls the muscles that you use to pronounce the word. http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_10/d_10_cr/d_10_cr_lan/d_10_cr_lan.html
However, another center, Wernicke's area, which does the processing of individual words, was more active. Abnormalities in the brain's white matter communication cables could lead to adaptations in the gray matter computing centers, sometimes resulting in superior free-standing abilities or superior ability in a localized skill. Meaning the neurons are freestanding and do not connect. http://www.autismcoach.com/Underconnectivity%20Theory%20of%20Autism.htm
There is a significant portion of people within the autism spectrum who are gifted or have extreme knowledge in a specialized area, such as music, art, or acquisition of information in an area of interest. The researchers believe that this approach might lead to the development of a cognitive behavioral therapy might be to stimulate the development of connections in these higher order systems, focusing on the emergence of conceptual connections, interpretive language and so on. The researchers also believe that eventually, pharmacological or genetic interventions will be developed to stimulate the growth of this circuitry. In my opinion, the most effective treatments currently available actively promote connecting our kids neurologically, such as applied behavior analysis and integrative therapies. The more we stimulate our kids, the more neurological connections they will make. We should also address the underlying biological reasons why our children aren't making sufficient connections during their early development and support them nutritionally to optimize their brain development. While we wait for researchers to develop new therapies, we must make the most of the therapies currently available to us, to help our children in the here and now. http://www.autismcoach.com/Underconnectivity%20Theory%20of%20Autism.htm