Angelman's Disorder
He was on the floor, laughing in a sort of eerie, unconnected way. My first immediate reaction was that he was Autistic, for he had many of the customary characteristics. He waved and flapped his hands in the air. He had no language. He was seemlingly in his own world and appeared to be slow in functioning.
One characteristic that separated him out from a child with Autism, however, was the ever present protruding tongue. It seemed, at times, to be too big for his mouth, for he always kept it out, moving it from side to side, and taking it in only to swallow.
Angelman Syndrome is a neurological disorder with symptoms that may include:
About the Author: Dr. Catherine Swanson Cain, PhD, LMFT provides counseling and therapy to families of young children with behavior problems or mental health disabilities. She also provides consultation and training to educators, child care providers, and professionals on a variety of behavioral health issues.