Evidence of Brain Overgrowth in the First Year of Life in Autism

Eric Courchesne, PhD, Ruth Carper, PhD, and Natacha Akshoomoff, PhD. JAMA, July 16, 2003 - Vol 290, No. 3.

The clinical onset of autism appears to be preceded by 2 phases of brain growth abnormality: a reduced head size at birth and a sudden and excessive increase in head size between 1 to 2 months and 6 to 14 months. Abnormally accelerated rate of growth may serve as an early warning signal of risk for autism.