Not at first glance.
It isn't so much that autistic folk have a particular "difference" or unusual trait(s)... it is that they have a statistically relevant greater number of different minor traits, from a large pool of characteristics. None of which are exclusively autistic only.
So there is no give away, no tell tale sign. But by looking closely, and adding up the sum total of specific traits, then yes.
There is also the general mannerism, expressions, and behaviors. Those can be "seen" as well.
I'd post links, but someone has already done so earlier in this thread.
Personally, I have:
posteriorly rotated ears, small, one ear has small cartilage tab sometimes called a Darwin's Tubercle.
down slanted eyes (palpebral fissures)
hair whorls
tapered fingers
peculiar deep set nails, heavily ridged.
epicanthal folds
extreme joint laxity (hyper extensive/double-joined etc.)
youthful, naive looking, flat expression
nearly hairless (bodily), bizarre facial hair pattern (very little there too) {I'm always clean shaven though, else... yeah always}
extremely narrow skeletal frame (still have wide shoulders), long frame (6"4")
soft thin skin, more translucent than normal, prominent veins
several other physical, but not observable traits.
I'm told that I have an unsettling, eerie, unnerving appearance just as or more often than anything else. None of those traits are by themselves an instant give away, but when you add them all up, it suggests indeed I am.
When I add together the evidence that there are physical appearance differences from my traits, the traits I’ve observed in the few other autistic folk I’ve personally met, and/or observed on video and most importantly the case studies that show statistically significant differences… I know what answer works for me. Yes, we look different… but not obviously so.
_________________
I am Ignostic.
Go ahead and define god, with universal acceptance of said definition.
I'll wait.
Last edited by NarcissusSavage on 01 Dec 2012, 4:20 am, edited 1 time in total.