Autism has been classically viewed as an "internal," neurological disability, with no physical manifestations, unlike other developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome. However a new study published in the journal Molecular Autism suggests that children on the Autism spectrum may possess facial characteristics that distinguish them from neurotypical children.
The researchers used three-dimensional images of typical children and children on the Autism spectrum to map 17 distinct points on the face. They were able to find significant differences between the two groups, in particular that the Autistic children had wider eyes, a broader upper face, a shorter middle section of the face, wider mouths and wider philtrums, the space between the upper lip and the nose. The researchers also found that those children with more severe Autism, such as those with langauge delays and behavioral issues, had even more pronounced distinctions in facial characteristics.
These results led the researchers to conclude that something must be happening prenatally to the embryo during the middle of the first trimester of pregnancy when the craniofacial area begins to develop. Whether this is purely genetic, environmental or a combination of the two is unclear, but it nonetheless provides definitive evidence that Autism develops in the womb, rather than after birth and that its onset is likely not attributable to post-natal treatments in the form of vaccines or other pharmaceutical treatments.
While people with Autism and families of those with Autism may feel uneasy about accepting that their children can be distinguished from others based on facial features, this is even more promising research, in addition to previous studies, that the underlying cause and onset of Autism is slowly but surely being uncovered. Further studies into genes responsible for neurodevelopment and development of the craniofacial area will help to provide even more insight into the cause and significance of these differences, leading to possible treatment and prevention.
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