To think if ASD is costing the UK 32bn per year we need to better early screening?

I have a family member like this (IL, so met them later). Same job working with their hands for life. They weren't very communicative, so I always thought they were a bit odd. I can look back with what I know now and it all makes so much sense. I'm sad about that in a way, because with the understanding, I could have related to them so much better. It must have been hard for them not understanding themselves, more than anything. Yet they successfully navigated through life.

I think this is so, so true. Especially the bit about jobs for life, and never leaving the familiar.

Those costs would be included in the calculation I think. It’s money you aren’t spending on having a new kitchen, for example.

I don’t think it’s surprising at all.

it has sky rocketed because professionals are getting better at recognising it. There is also greater awareness.

also - a lot of people still don’t really understand what autism looks like, so people probably don’t realise there are probably quite a few people in their families or social circles who are autistic, but instead were considered ‘eccentric’, anti social, shy or disruptive depending on how their autism presented itself

@overthinkersanonnymus we have at least 20,000 genes. The interplay of them results in the individuals we are. Some combinations result in some features. In any family the genes each child gets a selection of those available to each parent. They combine in different ways. Add in environmental factors and the variation is almost endless.

Thousands. We are not well off in any way.

I know it's probably not near what others with more support needs are paying.

Something being genetic isn't the same as something being inherited. Something can run in families without impacting every family member.

In terms of how it impacts people - it's because autism is a spectrum. And it's also the case that many high functioning people would have previously been either overlooked and seen as "rainman" type characters, or been diagnosed with Asperger's, which is no longer a separate diagnosis.

Yes it's challenging when there's undiagnosed ND in 2-3 generations of families. Some get the 'quirky' type and come from high achieving families with resources to support them. Others seem to get the incredibly impulsive, risk taking type with chaotic parenting and challenging environments. For these kids ADHD medication alone will rarely help without therapeutic support long term (especially because of non-compliance with meds). In some cases I have seen medication have a really profound effect which has given kids a chance, especially when paired with school and therapeutic support.

I’m sure my mother’s side has Asperger’s undiagnosed I don’t think it’s the same thing as autism. They’re extremely intelligent for example with math, my brother taught himself algebra when he was no older than 8. He taught me how to speak, I was speech delayed. My mother’s diagnosed as bipolar but it’s extremely accurate. She hallucinates and has violent aggressive outbursts because of her trauma and has acted out her abuse. She’s like a different person. Too much info about myself tbh but for a good cause

Full of confounders. Your GP friend should know better.

For a start, people paying to access private assessments are going to already have a very high index of suspicion they are autistic. Some random neurotypical person with zero concerns is unlikely to turn round one day and decide to drop thousands of pounds on an autism assessment just for the hell of it. Of course private providers are likely to diagnose more ASD: their intake isn’t representative of the population.

Likewise, to be able to afford a private diagnosis you will likely need to have a decent income. Be default, these people are likely to be the ‘high function’ (for want of a better expression) autistics who would have been missed in childhood. Private providers aren’t dealing with severe autism because it’s already long been diagnosed. Of course they are seeing the more nuanced cases.

Indeed! I know a lovely lady with learning disabilities who has been with her partner for 15 years. I went to her birthday party, and most of the other guests also had LD due to the groups she goes to. A lot were there with partners too.

@TangerinePlate Older parents especially fathers and obesity in Mothers increase the risk as well as genetic predisposition. Research is ongoing. As much as diagnosis has improved and it’s acknowledged. The age of parents and people being overweight are both on the rise.

Hair colour is genetic, but my children all have different colour hair. Does this help?

In answer to your second question: this is the same for almost every biological and neurological condition. My son has a very rare bone disease, even when so few people have it, the range of experience is still extremely wide. Some people are in wheelchairs and some are competitive football players. Some have restricted opening of their jaw, others have no such difficulty, but they still have the same condition and same diagnosis.

I said this earlier in the thread, childrens professionals are voicing this more and more, the description and name is meaningless, it will change in time.

The way diagnosis often happens is that one child who struggles more is diagnosed, followed by other members of the family, including parents. You can then look back at grandparents and suddenly, it's obvious.

Same way some of the children have curly hair and others straight.

There may be a triggering factor for the gene expression. We don’t know yet.

In my experience, autistic people are likely to pair up. They attract each other as they gel well. Something to think about?

Because you have misunderstood the word genetics, it doesnt mean inherited.

Your genetics are what makes you, you. They dont necessarily get forwarded wholesale into the next generation.

Old style schooling will have suited some autistic children very well. Highly structured, highly repetitive, socialising only on the playground, not in the lesson.
Same food day in, day out- what was available. Or that whole roast, cold cuts on wash day, shepherds pie, sausage, fish routine.

Staying in the same job for life. Living in the same place. Much less challenging than today’s hectic ways.

Some of those kids 'without autism' go on to be diagnosed later, they're overlooked not being as severely affected, or it's just not obvious.

The reason there is diversity in how well people with autism function is because it's a hugely diverse spectrum. I've heard it argued that it's so broad as to be meaningless now. I do wonder if there should be different classifications myself.

This is so offensive. You know you can have sex and get pregnant without being particularly adept socially? You know that you might struggle with social relationships generally but be able to form close relationships on an intimate scale?
This is a bit like saying "it's surprising you can read a newspaper when you're dyslexic, because it supposedly impacts on reading". Impacting doesn't mean impossible.

Only if it's matched by a huge increase in accessibility to later terminations.

And then there would be posts questioning why the rate of terminations had gone up.

I have a question and I hope I'd don't offend but I don't know where I'd find this information.

If autism is genetic, how is it that couples can have one child with autism and another without? Surely the genes are the same from both parents for both children?

And why is it that some people can function in the world, have successful careers and families etc and others are non verbal, aggressive, unable to use the bathroom but have the same "condition" if that's the right word.

@Kuch3n
Unfortunately anyone who wants a diagnosis can get one completely devaluing it. Private clinics have 100% diagnosis rates according to my gp friend. For some people who are successful in life they want a diagnosis of something to validate why they are not outgoing and sociable. Can you tell my friend doesn't approve, he's uncomfortable with diagnosis in adults

Without the autistic people, many fields that involve creativity and discovery would have suffered. Being able to think and look at things differently can be an asset.