Do autistic children just appear visibly different?

Question

I've been doing some research on Autism and Aspergers syndrome and have noticed that in the vast majority of cases the kids just look "funny" before they even say a word. It makes me think that the cause of the disorder may be more involved than the experts believe. What would be some of the reasons for this? I can imagine that this must add to some of bullying problems that they exeperience since it might cause them to be singled out

By "funny" I mean facial features that would suggest some sort of genetic trouble or reloated disorder...more than just a communication skills deficit

Answer 1

Both areas Autism and Aspergers have interested me for the past 6 years. I understand the reactions here, and I adore all of my parents, and all of you - for reading and caring. I do stress to all readers that the 'correct terminology' shouldn't be mistaken or offensive to those coming from a genuine caring interest. Please don't be offended! It just means this lovely person has picked out something special, and cares, and wants to help and learn more...so teach us all. Keep up the questions.

Answer 2

Autistic children do not share similar physical features linked to the disorder the way kids with other disabilities (Downe's being the one most people think of) do. Rather, it is thier affect that makes them all seem to resemble one another. Autistic kids generally do not look people directly in the eye when they speak and will often adopt side glances as a way to try and connect. They also tend to have similar movements and posture...head down, shoulders rounded. Many autistic kids can be on the heavy side because they eat such limited diets...but just as many tend to be thin for the same reasons. Finally, the vast majority of kids with autism are male. All of these factors combined certainly make these kids appear a bit "odd" and once you have worked with, lived with and loved an autistic child you can generally get a feel on other's you happen to meet in the mall, grocery store, etc.

As for bullying, my son has never had any issues with bullying. While he does attend a non-public school only for autistic children, he has many non-autistic buddies and he goes every where we do. The only bad expereince we had was five years ago, on an airplane on the last leg of a 23 hour trip from Japan to the East Coast. Our son had reached saturation point and had a tantrum. There were several passengers who very very loud and verbal in thier complaints, but the airline attendents were extremely helpful, allowing us to move to the back of the plane while our son calmed down and dealing with the other passengars when their remarks became more heated. And the sad part was, the two who were the loudest where both psychologists. Go figure!

Answer 3

Autism is not a physical feature. I have worked with children and adults with autism for over 12 years. Each child is different and they are all beautiful. In the past I have told parents who became a good friend, "Your child is so beautiful. I have only seen children with autism as beautiful." There are children out there with other disabilities who present as "autistic" however, these are genetic disorders there are many such as tuberious sclerous (spelling ?), degeorge's syndrome 22q chromosome deletion and others.
When children with autism are photographed they do not typically look into the camera, some children look away. So when you look at photographs the student may be looking away which may seem different then a photo of a typical child. Over time some children will look directly at the camera, you would never know the person in the picture has a disability.
I have a cousin with autism but she is also mentally retarted so she does have differences with her jaw slightly lowered and her eyes tend to wonder. Yet, my best friend's son has autism and you would never know he has autism.

Answer 4

Everyone is different and I don't know what you mean about "looking funny". My son faces discrimination mainly because he doesn't look funny and he behaves differently. Some autistic people stim (do things that destress them like hand flapping, humming, spin their heads), but not all. Some autistic people have a heavy "nerd" appearance because they aren't fashion-savvy or they aren't able to dress themselves (at the mercy of someone else) or could care less what anyone thinks of them. For the latter, they may have practical accessories that neurotypicals find unfashionable and weird looking.
There are sensory issues that make haircuts difficult. Many autistics have some kind of allergies so at any given time may be suffering from an allergy (red eyes, eczema, rash, etc)
I don't know what you mean by "more involved than the experts believe". I would say that having a neurological difference that affects developmental milestones, sensory integration and socialization is fairly involved.

PS I have to disagree with your additional comments. In fact, as we are all stating from years of experience, the opposite is true. It's a double-edged sword to have a (classically) beautiful child that behaves years younger and sometimes says and does things that other "normal" people find offensive.

Answer 5

My cousin and brother were born a week apart. My brother was born normal and my cousin was born with autism. My cousin is reeally handsome, perhaps even more than my bro! I don't think that facial features play a role, but perhaps the actions do. He often makes jerky movements and rarely speaks. He is highly intelligent though.

As for the people with autism looking 'funny' this could be true in some cases. Autism is caused by complications in the womb. Unproportionate features may thus be a result of this and not the autism directly.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I have never noticed most autistic kids to look "different." Perhaps some do, but I don't believe it's the vast majority. In fact, it is because they appear to look like any other kid that it is so hard to detect. The top reason that they get singled out isn't for their looks, but for their vulnerability and quirky behaviors. Which, by the way, is a tragedy. Everyone needs to be educated on what autism is so that children with autism and their families don't have to experience the cruelties of unknowing mothers with sharp tongues or other children.

Answer 7

There has been some research showing that children with autism have larger heads... but this is definitely not true for all children on the spectrum. Actually, one thing about autism is that the children afflicted with it do not usually have distinguishing facial or physical features. That is why it is diagnosed through their behaviors.

Some children who have other conditions in addition to autism, or with autistic-like features, such as Down Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, may present with distinguishing facial features. So, perhaps that is what you are referring to.

However, it is true that as they get older, children with Autism or Aspergers may "stick out" from their peers because of "odd" social behaviors... not because of any physical characteristics. Perhaps it would help if you could refer us to the research that you are talking about.

Answer 8

As a professional who works with children with autism, an individual with this disorder lacks speech and language and with that social reciprocity. The deficit in social language is dramatic. It is noticeable when a child doesn't answer to their own name, a child doesnt give eye contact, even amongst higher functioning aspergers the conversation is not "normal". The child with asperger's doesn't understand those unwritten rules of social language to speak to the listener, think about the facial expressions of who you are talking too and use facial expressions to convery messages to your listener. These cues for maintaining a conversation we use as "normal speakers" we take for granted. So if a child with autism seems to look funny, its part of their disorder of social reciprocity, and dependant upon what level they are on the spectrum of ASD. What type of stereo typical repetitive movement does the child have. ( pulling hair, hand flapping, lining up objects) that all contributes to the sense of not being within the norm so to speak. Many children with ASD have sensory issues: sensory avoiders( putting their fingers over their ears) sensory seekers ( running and Jumping). This all contribues to a different appearance than the norm. A child with autism may look out of the norm because of all mentioned above. I hope this helps.

Answer 9

I have worked with Autistic children and know some personally. I do not think that you can tell an Austistic child by their looks. However, I can usually pick out an Autistic child be their behaviors. (Not all, but most). Usually, they have a social issue and are uncomfortable in public, noise, people may make them nervous.

Also, they often do repetative jestures such as flicking hands twitches, etc... Any bullying might be from the fact that they act different and do know how to interact with other children.

Answer 10

humorous looking? Down Syndrome you propose. No it isn't the comparable element. some Autistic infants and Aspergers syndrome infants do have a seem of their eyes regardless of the undeniable fact that that's subjective. Autistic infants can do numerous bullying themselves in accordance with their sickness. Autism is a very extensive raging sickness/ailment. the challenge is an lack of ability to socialize and bond wisely. So a number of is a psychical concept. good success inclusive of your analyze.