Physical Markers in Autism

[Guest guest]

In June I attended an Autism seminar here in California. There were

6

of us Mom's who gathered together for dinner and all having brought

pictures of their children at my request. I discussed what I had

read

in an article in Scieftific American February 2000, whereby they talk

about a few things that they have found to be the same across

Autistic

children: Ears. For starters they are protruding and actually they

sit just a little lower than normal... probably such a small amount

lower that we don't notice that part. Additionally, you'll probably

find that not only are the ears protruding, BUT outter edges

of our childrens are very soft, almost as if there is no cartilage.

Also are the lips, perfectly shaped, kissable lips. and along with

that is the fact that our children (and no this isn't me just being

biased) are uncharacteristly beautiful!!! During our dinner we lined

up all our childrens pictures, blocking out all but the ears and the

lips at first, and they were EXACTLY thee same. and we sat in awe

as we looked at the pictures lined up and saw 6 of thee most

beautiful

children ever! One other thing I will mention in this article of SA

Feb 2000, they talked about the effects that have been to the brain

stem of an autistic person. The region juts above the spinal cord.

The brain stemp ofa person with atusim is shorter than a normal brain

stem... it is as though a band of tissue were missing. The brain

stem

of a person wth autism also lacks the superior olive and has a

smaller

than normal facial nucleus. This last part means nothing to most us,

unless your medically inclined. At least it is one step closer to

helping identify autism by physical markers. Autism, say unlike

Downs

Syndrome, has yet to picked up by simply looking at them. I'm

uncertain if the medical profession will ever utilize in whole or

part

this observation. I'm sure most of you have heard from one person or

another, " Oh, your son doesn't look autistic " I nearly have to laugh

at that when I say ever so gently " if your thinking of Haufman

(Rainman), think again " .

Anyways, just thought I would share!

Have a great day everyone!

Wynee aka Darren's Mom

(Darren 2.5 yrs old, Dx'd autistic 6 months ago, non-verbal)