If you have autism / adhd etc were you premature

[CatMumSlave]

I was born 2 months early and I have several diagnosis. I'm wondering if there is a connection.

Neither I nor dd was premature. Both ASD.

No not prem and am AuDHD

My dd was born at 42+4 and is autistic

I was born at 32 weeks and am currently waiting for my assessment. I didn't know there was (potentially) a link.

I was 2 weeks early, doesn't really count as premature I don't think? Diagnosed AuDHD.

I might add although my daughter wasn't premature I was. I'm didn't know she was pregnant untill 7 months and o was born at 34
weeks and I'm not diagnosed but I do think I am autistic

No, none in our family were prem all over due and there are at least 10 family members. Its genetically passed down.

@CatMumSlave 2 years! Thanks for letting me know. She is already under a paediatrician so will discuss it with them as soon as.

No induction for DD1. Her birth was bloody brilliant. Only 18 hours total with 4 in the midwife unit. TENS at home and a birth pool on the unit. No pain just intense pressure.

I was ready to give birth again after 10 minutes! I felt like THE most powerful woman ever! 😂 I am woman, hear me roar...

She was such a high needs baby though. The last 11 years have left me a shell.

I was 2 weeks premature and 4 pounds 4 ounces. DM smoked throughout pregnancy. I have inattentive Adhd and suspect autism.

But I'm not sure it was the cause as DM I am sure is the same.

I cried the loudest in the incubators and was always very keen on my food (still am) apparently.

This is from the NICE guidelines for ADHD.

I've always been of the opinion Autism is likely influenced by a mix of genetic and environmental factors. The Amish community, for instance their autism rates are significantly lower than the rest of the general population (environmental? Genetic?).

It's not uncommon to meet someone with autism who has an autistic child themselves or an autistic parent which points towards genetics playing a role.

As for premature or weight-related theories, I was born on time and weighed 8lbs, and my nephew was also born at full term and was a big baby, yet we both have autism. I wish I could be a fly on the wall in the future when we more is known about the causes of autism. Had a convo with my sister about how lucky we are to have modern medicine. She pointed out that if we'd been born in the Victorian era, I'd be gone with a ruptured appendix and she'd have died giving birth. It's mindblowing to think about how far we've come, but we still have so much further to go.

My niece is severely autistic and she was late.

Whilst genetics is a very major factor, autism is also more common in ex premmies.

I have adhd and I was late by 5 days. My DS2 also has adhd and he was late by 3 days.

I was over due by 2 weeks and dd was overdue by nearly 3 weeks
DS was born 2 weeks early

We all have ADHD

But I suspect so has everyone in my family

Really interesting question. My two boys both on the spectrum, both big babies (9.5lbs and 11lbs) and both overdue (one by 14 days and one by 15 days). They were both born naturally but both were very difficult births and long labours. Lots of ASD on both sides of the families for both mum and dad.

No, I was right on time, as was my daughter

I have ADHD (possibly ASD but that’s not diagnosed): 10 days late
DS has AsD/ADHD: prem

Nope, two weeks late. DS was a week late too. No idea about DF but he’s definitely where my autism comes from and I strongly suspect his mother was autistic too (multiple mental health diagnoses, ‘unusual’ lifestyle for the time).

My dc was 6 weeks early. No additional needs !

Neither my brother nor my daughter were premature. We're in the system for the latter. Obviously for us there are huge similarities between those two which makes me think it's hereditary certainly in our case.
DD has an official dx of dyslexia and dyspraxia too.

I was 6 weeks prem and my brother 8 weeks prem and we're both NT.

I am a twin and was born at 30 weeks. I am diagnosed with ASD and dyslexia. Not diagnosed, but I suspect ADHD too. My dsis is diagnosed with dyslexia and she probably has ASD.

I suspect ours is hereditary. Our parents have traits and our subsequent daughters are suspected ND. They are on waiting lists.

It’s genetic in my family.

ny gran and my uncle almost certainly had adhd.

my parents too had problems.

i have adhd, my son has adhd/asd, my dd1 asd and my youngest does too.