The contribution of muscular and auditory pathologies to the symptomatology of autism

Most research concerning the pathology of autism is focused on the search for central abnormalities that account for the production of symptoms. We, however, instead of looking at muscular and auditory features as merely associated manifestations, propose that they are somatic contributors by which some of the main clinical features of autism might be explained. Evidence suggests that muscles affect emotional experience. We think certain muscular dysfunctioning can impair communication and social interaction, and create stereotypic behavior, giving rise to the diagnostic features of autism. Furthermore, because speech is synchronized with facial movements and voice is controlled mainly through auditory feedback, a distortion of auditory feedback could disrupt voice, which in turn might cause parallel abnormal facial muscle functioning.