Final answer:
Those with autism spectrum disorder have smaller minicolumns in the cerebral cortex, which can affect information processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
In individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), smaller minicolumns have been found in the cerebral cortex compared to normal non-autistic controls. Minicolumns are the functional units in the cortex that process information. Smaller minicolumns in the cerebral cortex can affect information processing and may contribute to the cognitive and sensory differences observed in individuals with ASD.
For example, areas of the cortex that process signals from skin with fewer sensory receptors are likely to be smaller than those processing signals from skin with large numbers of sensory receptors. This relationship between minicolumn size and the processing of sensory information underscores the importance of minicolumns in information processing and may help explain some of the sensory sensitivities experienced by individuals with ASD.