Older parents and autism/aspergers

[JamSandle]

To think there is a link between older parentage and autism/aspergers, and if so, should we be doing more to educate and prepare parents for this?

Obviously an increasing number of parents are having their children later in life. Should we be doing more to make them aware of potential risk factors for themselves and their children as part of family planning?

We aren't scientists. And it's an open discussion

😊 also it costs you nothing to be kind.

Yup, it's actually a little worrying grown adults think like this

@Willyoujustbequiet

The sheer scientific ignorance in this discussion is very depressing. 'My child has autism and I was 22/26/30 when I had them. Therefore this link can't be true'. Oh dear God.

You are talking here to people who may be autistic themselves. Have a wee think about that before the crappy put downs. For me, responding to the thread and giving the ages I had my DC seemed normal, not ignorant. That will be the autism though, so perhaps drop the ignorance yourself.

Yup, it's actually a little worrying grown adults think like this

Grown, autistic adults.

Yabvu

Having autism doesn't mean you're incapable of making educated comments

That's incredibly insulting to anyone with ASD to imply they're stupid

I have two severely autistic DS. Had both in early 30s and no genetic link either side if the family. Sometimes it just happens!

@eyeteevee 👏 well said

Fancy making a crappy put down comment when they can't even read the room. Lack of self awareness perhaps
😁

@candycaneframe

Having autism doesn't mean you're incapable of making educated comments

No but it does affect how we receive and communicate posts.

That's incredibly insulting to anyone with ASD to imply they're stupid

Oh don't be ridiculous, it was the post I responded to that implied stupidity. I was just saying go easy because you know, autistic people actually do think, and react differently.

@candycaneframe you don't speak on behalf of me. I wasn't offended by @eyeteevee 's comment. So wind your neck in before you speak on behalf of ND people

You've tagged me but that wasnt my post.

I'd appreciate an apology

Wowzers

Someone is sensitive today

Where is the proof it is only genetic? I'm not saying in some cases it's not, but not ALL. Such a sweeping statement.

One person in my family is autistic. Only one. Complications at birth and I've heard many other stories similar - deprived of oxygen at birth.

You're aware not everyone on this post who has replied with an idiotic comment is autistic right?

You've read that comment, taken it as a personal attack and then made yourself seem silly

Take a step back and chill out

It's not. At least not according to Simon Baron Cohen who is pretty much the world's leading expert.

Autism is genetic. DH’s family is a multi generational family of Aspies. Where we live there are more than average the amount of aspies demographically due to industry and middle class families from that industry living in the same area . The autism service even refers to it colloquially as * disease in a non offensive way

Most school classes had multiple autistic DC in them, mine included. Everyone had kids in there 30’s here because careers came first. Seen against a backdrop of middle class professionals in other careers having kids this demographic would not stand out at all

But please do try and blame people for having autistic kids when it’s been proven ITS GENETIC

which would disprove your hypothesis.

That’s not how science works though. for instance, incidence of Down’s syndrome increases with maternal age, it doesn’t stop 22 year old mothers conceiving children with Down’s. It’s just less likely. A teenage mother with a child with DS doesn’t “disprove” anything.

I have read that age (particularly of father?) is a factor but I don’t have the data. Random posters saying that they were 25 / 35 / 45 adds nothing though.

There isn’t proof of that. We don’t know the exact cause(s) for sure. Genetics are thought to play a strong role but there are also thought to be other factors as well. For example low birth weight is associated with a higher incidence of autism, and so is air pollution.

You've tagged me but that wasnt my post.

im really sorry, fat fingers clicked on the wrong W name.

I'd appreciate an apology

erm, well that’s not a problem. I didn’t do it on purpose

I don't think anyone is saying it's not genetic but simply that it not only genetic. As I mentioned leading experts says environmental factors can also be an influence.

Where has it been proven it's only genetic? I've just posted there is only one autistic person in my family and that includes extended family.

It's not been proven to be genetic at all

There are genetic components, and parents who have Autism are likely to have autistic children themselves

That doesn't however mean it's only genetic

Thank you, appreciate the reply.

You're aware not everyone on this post who has replied with an idiotic comment is autistic right?

that is why I said ‘people who may be autistic’, yes.

You've read that comment, taken it as a personal attack and then made yourself seem silly

I didn’t take it personally at all. I don’t actually think I seem as silly as you are coming across a bully.

Take a step back and chill out

No comment.

Also, who is blaming parents for having autistic children?