Faces of Autism

I have begun a project called the Faces of Autism. Autistic children have a facial structure very similar to each other and I have been documenting these characteristics to see similarities and hope this can be used in future diagnosis.

I would like to capture through photography the different facial characteristics of autistic children and young adults. Autistics tend to have atypical characteristics such as larger foreheads, mouth breathing with an extended bottom lip and a look to their eyes. If I could document many children of all ages, this could be of great help to researchers for future diagnosis.

Also, having the publicity for this cause would help raise awareness. Chronically a life of an autistic family through photography would and could help inspire others to volunteer, raise money and spend it on research to help find the cause and possible cure for Autism and for more understanding of what those struck by autism have to go through on a daily basis to just survive.

Although it seems as a simple project, this could significantly impact the autism community where parents tend to feel isolated and alone. Documenting their child would give them a beautiful portrait of what makes their child special and give them hope that we can find through research the cause of Autism and hopefully the cure.

I have two children that have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is a problem that is very close to my heart and I am passionate about.

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