The brain of humans understands the world by recognizing patterns. Patterns as simple as a line drawing to complex math/arithmetic figures. The brain processes patterns in language, music, quilting, architecture, human behavior, and so on. We have been able to determine through imaging brain activity how the regions of the brain work together to recognize patterns.
Understanding how the brain identifies, and processes patterns can help us understand the incredibly complex process of learning (how learning happens or doesn’t happen), and potentially can help with mental health treatments. The brain’s ability to recognize patterns are the neural networks that interpret the incoming sensory information. Key regions such as the visual cortex, temporal lobe, prefrontal cortex, and the hippocampus work together to detect, analyze, and store patterns.
Studies have shown that the brain can rewire in response to experience, it can refine its ability to detect patterns over time, improving efficiency in problem-solving and decision making. Dopamine can be released reinforcing pattern recognition by rewarding successful predictions and learning.
Physicians rely on pattern recognition to identify symptoms and diseases based on physical findings, history of the illness and tests results. An example of this historically is the “first six rashes” which diagnosed rashes by considering patterns like the location and spread of the rash and associated symptoms. The first disease was measles, second scarlet fever, third rubella (German measles) and so on. Before we knew about viruses and bacteria we had pattern recognition. The six rashes are caused by five different viruses and one kind of bacteria.
Today there is another condition that is identified by pattern recognition. Placing a child in the Autistic Spectrum is simply counting identified behaviors. If there is a high enough count, they are in the Spectrum. Many of the behaviors have to do with problems in pattern recognition, such as face recognition, social awareness, communication disorders, rigidity, irritability.
Unlike the six rashes there are over 100 different genes that have been identified as the cause of the identified behaviors associated with the Autistic Spectrum. Most likely the words Autistic Spectrum will fade away and maybe, Neurodevelopmental Disorders will replace it.
Each little, tiny gene has a small but specific job to do. With at least 100 different possibilities of malfunctioning genes, it will take a while to determine what the problem is with the malfunctioning gene and even longer to determine how to correct it. It is highly probable that the malfunction is working or not working in the unborn child, so the “damage” is done before birth. There is also the possibility that the malfunctioning gene only malfunctions if exposed to certain chemicals as an embryo.
At present there are only a few treatments that have been found to be helpful for the child. They are early therapy by trained therapists such as Physical, Occupational, Speech and Behavior Therapists and some medications that treat neurotransmitters problems.
It is critical that there is funding for treatment and for research to understand and treat these children.
By Sally Robinson
Sally Robinson, MD Clinical Professor
Keeping Kids Healthy
12/2025
Also See: UTMB Pediatrics - Pediatric Primary Care