Conclusive evidence showed that a girl of six, previously diagnosed as a schizophrenic or autistic child, had suffered a brain injury, probably during delivery, which had not been disclosed. Although happy and cuddly as an infant, by nine months she had become too shy with strangers and excessively fond of a small toy car. By thirteen months she had become odd; she later refused to wear woolen sweaters but stroked and crooned over fur and velvet and showed pleasure at playing notes on the piano. At two, a psychologist advised taking away the toy car and limiting her use of the piano; he in effect advised interference with such few contacts with reality as she enjoyed. After this she became withdrawn and her pathological behavior became more marked. Placement with affectionate foster parents and treatment by a friendly therapist who recognized the neurological limitations led to the disappearance of schizophrenic features and left the patient a rather friendly child limited by her encephalopathy.