Autism repeating itself, can if happen?

Deanne - posted on 12/18/2011

Since I have posted on here we have found out that my 9 yr old daughter also is aspie with add also so it is very heridarty hope spell right sorry if not so good luck stick to you're instincts.

Amy - posted on 12/18/2011

I have a 7 year old son with autism from a previous relationship, I'm now pregnant again with a different partner to be honest with you I'm worry sick that it will happen again since we don't really know what's the real cause of autism. If people say it's genetic factor I'm pretty sure it's not from my side of family. My mom has 9 siblings my dad has 5, they are all married and have kids, non of them have any kind of genetic disorder. I'm praying that this child will turn out fine. The reason why I decided to have another child is I want my son to have someone to look after him when I'm gone. At least a sister to a brother to look out for him.

Heidi - posted on 12/29/2010

I have 3 boys (all same dad) oldest is Aspie(10) , Middle has ADHD(9), and baby (1) doctor is worried because he has no stranger anxiety, and loves everyone. I have every extreme of social skills in my house, you will just have to wait and see.

Julie - posted on 12/29/2010

Hi..I am the mom of 5 (4 boys and a girl)...all with autism and from the same parents. While we haven't been given any straight answers, we assume that it is genetic in our case. My understanding of it is that genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger. There are some (boys) on my husbands side of the family that are also symptomatic.

Kathy - posted on 12/28/2010

I have 4 children. One with Asperger's, then a very social NT (Neurotypical), one with PDD then another very social NT. I am so thankful for each of them--the ones that see the world differently and beat to their own drummer and the ones that are their built in speech and play therapist. My experience and research with the first one helped me with the third one--but I still could have spotted the signs earlier and sought interventions. Pediatrician kept saying boys are different blah blah blah. There are several families I know with multiple NT's and just one AU/Aspie and others with multiple AU/Aspies and one (or none) AU/Aspie. I believe there is a genetic component in our family--and if I had to do over again--I would delay and space out vaccines. I have become much more aware of how many families are impacted by special needs of some kind--learning disabilities, mental health issues, adhd etc. Every kid has some kind of challenge and those that do not have diagnosis are sometimes the most challenging to raise!

Deanna - posted on 04/05/2010

My husband and i were told by the clinic that diagnosed my son that if we had a second child, it would be more likely to be born with asd than if i had not had a previous child with it. but that it would be far more likely to be born neurotypical. also it is more of a possibility for me to have another asd child if i had another child with a different partner, than for my husband if he had another child with a different partner. That was pretty much all they could tell me. The only thing you can do is just try not to obsess over it and just know the warning signs so that if the child is born with asd, you can get him/her help as soon as possible.

Stephanie - posted on 04/04/2010

i have four children. Two from a previous marriage - one AHDH, one aspergers. The next two children are from present hubby, one is ASD and one currently being diagnosed on the spectrum somewhere. They are all cute and very different/unique. :)

Helen - posted on 04/04/2010

Thank you all for the support, it has given a bit of peace of mine that no matter what god decides I have the strenght to overcome and love my son.

Desiree - posted on 03/26/2010

I just had this talk with my sons teacher. I was wondering if i should keep a closer eye on my 3 year old son. The teacher and there doctor explained to me that it's not sure what causes it or if it is hereditary. They told me just to watch very close and if see any of the same signs in my youngest that i did my oldest to let them know and we will go from there. So i would just watch. Good luck in your pregnancy.

Ilene - posted on 03/26/2010

I would be watchful. I'm not saying that it will happen, but one doesn't know and I would put your son in a higher risk category because of his half-brother. There are no KNOWN cases of autism in my family (but there are several that I suspect given what I know now) but there are several known cases in my husband's family.

Theresa is right -- there are far worse things than autism, so just be aware and prepared should it arise. Early intervention is just so important and now people are recognizing autism earlier and earlier. But regardless of whether your son will be autistic, you're right --- you will love him for who he is.

I wish you all the best of luck in the rest of your pregnancy and beyond.
Ilene

Rosa - posted on 03/25/2010

my daughter has a child with mild autism & she's 9 years old, her other children (not from the same father as the oldest) do not have autism they are happy & healthy so far just love your children

Wendy - posted on 03/24/2010

My oldest son has Asperger's Syndrome. I got remarried and had another son and he is fine. We watched him like a hawk the first few years waiting for symptoms to appear. You will be at an advantage if he has it because you will recognize it & start treating it early. Best of luck!!!!

Sue - posted on 03/23/2010

I just want you to know that my oldest son Josh he is now 13 was diagnosed pddnos which is a mild case of autism and I have another son who is almost 10 not autistic and a daughter who is 6 who is not autistic. My advice would be because there is history and dispositions that could lead to a trigger for autism .. I would make sure that you do not give the MMR shot 18 month needle and just wait till they are school age. At that point there immune system is developed... anyway my eamil is suevitiello@yahoo.ca if you want to chat further.. good luck..

Barbara - posted on 03/23/2010

Helen, their is so much research out there now connecting autism to heavy metals of all kinds. I have even read and heard researchers state that they are finding over 150 toxins in the umbilical cord of mothers. These toxins include mercury, aluminum, and other heavy metals. There are steps that you can take to remove this worry. Want to know more contact me at barb.john@att.net. I absolutely know what I would do if I were to become pregnant again. However, at 65 that is not likely. Oh, and I do have a son with severe autism. He is one of four children and he will be 33 in 2010.

Heidi - posted on 03/23/2010

In some cases it is genetic, but as it has been explained to me by several ped, psychiatrist and psychologists, you are only at about a 5% increased risk for having another child with Autism. My husband has 3 children, 2 with me and one from a previous relationship. Our oldest (6&1/2) has Autism while the other 2 ( 14 and 5&1/2) are "typical" children :)

Tammy - posted on 03/23/2010

Here is a couple of links on facts and statistics of Autism. Hope this will help.
www.AutismSpeaks.org/News
www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about

Melissa - posted on 03/22/2010

I believe that autism is genetic, but that doesn't mean that siblings will both end up with it. I hold no stock in the notion that immunizations cause or tirgger autism. [CDD is possibly a different matter, but I'm assuming that's not what you're talking about here.] If your baby does turn out to have autism, it's not the end of the world, I promise you!

Sheldon - posted on 03/21/2010

my sons specilast said there are some genetic links and it is normal to have 2 with Autisum or a shadowing problem think it would depend if it was on the fathers side or the other mothers side but no matter what you will still have the same love for you child regardless :)

Jennifer - posted on 03/20/2010

I have two beautiful gifts from God too! We battle ADD and Autism. All I would encourage you to do is be very aware of the immunizations they want to give your little one before leaving the hospital as well as after. There is a lot of wisdom to be had there. Also the diet is very important too. It can make a big difference, especially if your child is diagnosed with any disorders. My son has been on a special diet for about three years now, and we have seen a huge change. It takes alot of research and I 'm sure you will be faithfully seeking all the knowledge you can. Just remember no matter what God has chosen you to be the best mother for your child. He already has the plan just continue to lift your children up to Him. He loves you and will guide you to be the best parents for His gifts to you.

Amber - posted on 03/20/2010

I have 2 children from different fathers and one is typical and the other has autism. I believe it is genetic but at the same time I think other things can trigger autism. If I were a pregnant woman today with no family history of autism I would still be worried as the rate is like 1 in 100 or less. Good Luck.

Deanne - posted on 03/19/2010

Hello Helen yes it can happen it is passed from male to male in families that is what I have learned. Good luck

Lisa - posted on 03/18/2010

You are a wonderful Step Mother Helen!!! I have been in the step mother role as well! My sweet darling son has Aspergers, he will be 17 years old in April, such an awesome child! My little girl, which has a different Daddy will be 7 months old this month and I wonder about this myself… Only time will tell..
God Bless you and your little ones!!

Amy - posted on 03/17/2010

I have two on the spectrum. My oldest is an Aspie and my youngest is more traditonally autistic. I have a middle son who is not on the spectrum, but has a severe heart anomoly, 4 surgeries so far. I did not find out about my oldest being on the spectrum until my 2nd son was a year old, and my thought was this sucks, it is devastating, but it is not life threatening in the sense that a heart defect is, so to simply answer your question, I believe it is genetic in some cases. In my family I believe genetics was to "blame." I have friends who have children on the spectrum and some have seizure disorders, and some have been identified as having fragile x (maternal trait). Try not to worry, I knew going into my 3rd preg. that I could have a baby w a heart defect, chances increase w each preg,, or a child on the spectrum. I thank God that I got my boys, issues and all, and not someone else who wouldn't appreciate them for the wonderful, unique and loving children they are, I got just what I needed.

Helen - posted on 03/17/2010

I'm unsure about the family history with the ex's family history. But I know there is none in my family history. It's difficult because I can only speak about my family tree. I just have hope that things will be different because it's different mothers. But you never know. I do know that my step son has already taught me great patience, any many other things that have made me a better mother all thanks to him. ♥ He is an amazing boy and will be awesome big brother.

Kelly - posted on 03/17/2010

When I was thinking about having a second child the doctor told me there is a 0.01% of having one ASD child but a 0.03% of having two but like alot of the other said its seems to run in my family. My cousins on my mums side have ASD children and then their is my son.

Bel - posted on 03/15/2010

I think theres a genetic link with asd/autism. If children don't end up with it, they can become a carrier and pass it on to their own children. My son has asd and adhd.

Patricia - posted on 03/15/2010

I think that there is a genetic link to asd. My brother is autistic and my cousin and son both have asperger's. It is just the luck tof the draw, and you will always be learning from him whether he is on the spectrum or not. The best to you.

Alicia - posted on 03/15/2010

The insidence of autism in siblings is higher than average as others have said. I wont repeat what you've already been told. I will just add I have two sons. One with autism and one without. My neuro-typical kiddo is turning two in a week. We watched him carefully ofcourse as we worried he would be as well. I had to fight the urge to become obsessive about it. The one thing that caused me the most concern was mimiced behaviours. Rowan worships his big brother and has mimiced him since right around his 1st birthday. I could tell he was responding normaly socialy-he was seeking our attention and making eye contact. But some of his manorisms reminded me so much of Liam that despite myself I worried. Just try to remember to look at the whole picture. There are early warning signs you can watch for in the first year. But I would wait to reaserch that until he is with you. Enjoy the first few months for what they are. There really isn't much you could do right away.



That's just my two cents. You're going to worry. There's no way around that. All moms do. Just try not to let it become a major part of your life unless you really start seeing signs.



cheers and congrats

Helen - posted on 03/14/2010

Thank you everyone for the encouraging words! All your advice gives me hope and I wil be strong for my child n love him no no matter what the outcome. I am glad to have the knowledge to recognize early signs when the time does come, but I will enjoy n be grateful for the precious gift given to me, my son!

Jennifer - posted on 03/14/2010

I'm not sure about the heriditary aspect of it really. But in my family it seems it might be the case. My son was diagnosised with PDDNOS (pervasive developemental disorder not otherwise specified), which his doctors say is a minor form of autism. But my daughters weren't. But i do know some of my cousins children have it and they are all boys. In my family it seems to run down the boys and not the girls. It just seems like my son looks at the world with different eyes then a "normal" person would. Doctors really don't know what causes the disorder so they can only really speculate.

Lisa - posted on 03/14/2010

I am a mom with two autistic sons. We went through some additional testing with both sons and the Dr. gave me some theories. First is if it is genetic it comes from the mothers side of the family. In my situation my father passed down the geans to me and then to my sons. The other theory is if it is not genetic then it would be environmental trigger that would cause this issue. I am pretty sure that for me it is genetic because my father is someone who has traits of asperger syndrome which is a form of autism. In turn this means that as his daughter I passed this down to my sons. I also have other cousins with autism as well. I hope this helps. God Bless

Chrisitne - posted on 03/14/2010

I don't think autism is hereditary, some disabilities are, but I don't think autism is.

Christine - posted on 03/13/2010

I have a 14 year old autistic son. I am 42 years old and have recently remarried and had another child. He was born with Downs Syndrome. I don't know if it is genetic or if I had a child sooner, he would have been born with autism instead of Downs. I do know that both of my children are my special angels that I wouldn't trade for the world.

Geraldine - posted on 03/13/2010

i have 4 children but only one of them autistic...dont think its hereditary...

Renee - posted on 03/13/2010

There does seem to be alot of siblings with autism and aspergers or somewhere on the spectrum. I don't know what the medical journals say specifically about it but I hear alot of families say they have more than one child (even from different partners) with symptoms of autism. I would stay calm and let the baby come and see what happens. I know it's hard but I would focus on this child and don't "expect" autism but know the warning signs and look for them. Make sure you talk to your doctor about this other child having been diagnosed and then they can watch and see. For me my son has autism but my daughter does not. So every child is different. Enjoy the baby but be on the lookout. Please don't let this situation lurking in the background cloud your childbirth experience.

Kimberly - posted on 03/13/2010

I have been married twice and in my experience, I think it is genetic. My oldest daughter has Asperger's Syndrome, and my son, from my second marriage, is in the process of being diagnosed. I also have a close cousin that has a daughter with something similar. It seems too much of a coincidence to not be hereditary. Not to worry though, light forms of Autism are very manageable, although I think it is way over-diagnosed. Teresa is absolutely right in saying there are disabilities that are much, much worse!

Don't go into motherhood thinking that the child is "doomed" to have it.

Theresa - posted on 03/12/2010

No one really knows what causes autism, so we don't know if it is hereditary or not. There are many factors that doctors THINK cause autism. I guess you will just have to wait and see. Like you said you will love him no matter what, and there are much worse diabilities than autism. Good luck.