Nathaniel Newman, a 15-year-old boy who has the same Treacher Collins syndrome as the main character Auggie, has a story that’s just as compelling.

When Treacher Collins syndrome is caused by mutations in the POLR1C gene, the condition has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. Autosomal recessive inheritance means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations.

Diagnosing Treacher Collins Syndrome Your doctor may take X-rays or CT (computed tomography) scans to confirm the diagnosis. Rarely, Treacher Collins syndrome is diagnosed before a baby is born if the abnormal facial features are seen during an ultrasound.

Treacher Collins syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects growth and development of the head. It prevents the skull, cheek and jawbones from developing properly, causing facial anomalies and hearing loss. About one child in every 50,000 is affected. Problems range in severity from mild to very severe.

Palacio decided to write “Wonder” in hopes that it would inspire children and parents. After the book came out, she met Magda and Russel Newman, whose son Nathaniel was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder that’s caused by mutations in a specific gene.

Auggie is the fictional boy in the children’s novel “Wonder,” which chronicles his dramatic and emotional first year at Beecher Prep. He was previously homeschooled as he underwent multiple surgeries for a rare facial condition called Treacher Collins syndrome, complicated by another syndrome.

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by distinctive abnormalities of the head and face. Craniofacial abnormalities tend to involve underdevelopment of the zygomatic complex, cheekbones, jaws, palate and mouth which can lead to breathing and feeding difficulties.