Lastest Autism Diagnostic Test: A Brain Scan?

On August 10, 2010, and article was published at the BBC claimed 90% of physicians involved in the project could identify whether a person had an autism spectrum disorder by looking only at their brain scan. The article notes it was only tested with 40 people, half of which had an ASD. It notes the brain patterns differences are tiny but noticeable.

Could this be? Could we be able to detect autism with a simple brian scan. Perhaps. One of the difficulties of diagnosis is the aspect of a spectrum. What one person may see as just quirky, another may see as truly aberrant. In a sense, how "strange" must one's behavior be? What is wrong with being a little quirky? Would these same difficulties arise with a brain scan? Those who have severe ASD would be easily identifiable and others barely noticeable? What would be the official point of diagnosis?

So where do we go from here? Will this help us solve any of the mysteries and aid these individuals better. While it's fascinating that some differences have been report, I want to know where these differences lie. The brain is an incredible, malleable structure; could knowing the answers help us stimulate language in a non-verbal child?

The neurological and genetic research continues to advance, but in many directions. In the meantime, are we doing everything we can for these individuals now?