Autism Vox

Charley and Charlie

by Kristina Chew, PhD on November 8th, 2007

From the November 4th Mind Hacks is a link to a You Tube video entitled This is Charley—-it’s not my Charlie (he definitely is “Charlie with an i-e”), and the Charley in the video is, in fact, a cat. Charley is disabled: He has cerebellar hypoplasia, which is

….a disorder in the development of the cerebellum that causes marked movement and coordination problems.

Cerebellar hypoplasia also occurs in humans and can lead to similar movement difficulties.

The complete function of the cerebellum is poorly understood, but it is well known that it is a key part of the brain’s movement system.

Charley uses his hindlegs stiffly and awkwardly; he is not, the video notes, in “any pain” and has a normal lifespan; he is shown playing, hanging, and watching the world go by from a window. My own Charlie has subtle motor issues (with his fingers in particular, I have been noting) and, too, just likes hanging with those he likes, and enjoys regarding the world from the back seat of the black car.

And, while still startled by animals, he is very curious about getting a glimpse of his piano’s teacher’s cats. They usually stay in a room with the door shut while he has his lesson but one of these days. And it has been said that all cats have Asperger Syndrome…….

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POSTED IN: Animals, Videos