Investigation of the brain and brain function in living children and adults with autism has led to new information on the neurobiology of autism. Autism is characterized by early brain overgrowth and alterations in gray and white matter. Functional imaging studies suggest that individuals with autism have reduced synchronization between key brain regions for different cognitive tasks. Processing connections within brain regions may be too strong. Understanding of these findings can lead to the design of interventions that accommodate the way the brains of children with autism function and may lead to the promotion of more flexible thinking and learning.