ASD / Autism - What do you think caused it in your family?

[Wanderingthoughts]

Inspired by my own experience and talking to two friends who's children are autistic.

My DS, 8, diagnosed ASD (formerly Aspergers, geeky-intelligent type). I think comes from his father (my ex). Their ASD traits are very similar and I think his father would definitely be diagnosed. DS also has ADHD which I think comes from me (I have lots of traits) and this is his primary diagnosis and much more prominent. So in our case, I lean towards genetic, although I was anaemic during pregnancy, had a low lying placenta and DS was born via induction and ventouse.

I'm pregnant with DC2, this time a girl, and my current DP has no ASD traits, and none I can see from anyone in his family. I am, however, anaemic again and this time facing having an iron infusion as the tablets haven't worked. I've read some research that low iron in pregnancy can be a potential cause of autism.

My friend has a 3 children, only one (DS2) is diagnosed Autistic. He has a more classical presentation, non-verbal, developmentally delayed and requiring a special school. She feels his autism comes from a long and traumatic birth, and she has no family history of ASD.

Ditto for another friend, she also has 3 children, and her DS1 is both Autistic and has learning difficulties. Her other two children are unaffected. Similar to my first friend, she thinks the cause of his autism was a long and difficult labour and birth trauma. No family history of ASD, although I can see some ASD traits in her DH!

What do you think the cause, if any, in your personal family experience?

Genes.

This is hard.
I have an autistic DD.
She was born late, nearly 43 weeks, but ultrasound showed placenta and cord were working fine. But now I wonder, and beat myself up for not being induced in case I harmed her. I feel such guilt. She was much lighter than my other DC, too.

I also had an awful and painful sweep. It was brutal. I also wondered if this had done something to DDs head or hurt her in some way? The midwife insisted and wouldn't stop despite my distress and discomfort. Other sweeps I had were barely noticeable.

Otherwise... DH and I are both a bit unusual. As is his mum. And my dad... who knows!

My DD is 4, non verbal ASD - she has a rare chromosomal disorder, pregnancy was otherwise unremarkable, as was the birth.

It's genetics, pretty sure.

I WAS induced and my daughter is still ASD.

Believe me, I've been down the self blame route and that way lies madness.

DD is autistic (no learning disabilities) and is undergoing assessment for ADHD. There is a lot in both sides of the family. Both grandfathers are suspected but undiagnosed and DHs dad in particular has a very stereotypically autistic presentation. So suspect it is genetic.

I think it’s genetic. Once I could see it I could see it all through our families.

Curious if anyone can recommend any good books on the subject- it always feels like a minefield of speculation since the vaccine scandal…

Genetics. I can see it in previous generations of both mine and both of fathers of my children. The neurospiciness is strong!

Genetics, lots in our family: father, uncle, cousins - all the geeky kind. Now my nephew

Thank you @SpudleyLass that has made me feel better.

I have wanted to ask about this so many times, and have often thought about starting a thread here asking if my fears were valid, but couldn't bear to. It's silly, I know... we just have to play the hand we're dealt.

Genetics

Genetics

I'm an autistic, dp is an autistic and has adhd

Children are all autistic, two have adhd, one has hyperactivity.

My sister is an autistic.

DP's brother is just an arse 😂

Both sets of parents would be diagnosed if they were tested with a mix of asd adhd and ocd.

Grandparents probably 5/8 showed traits, some more than others

@TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth I was also induced and my DS is diagnosed with ASD.

I'm definitely to blame for both my kids disabilities. One is heritable with 50% chance of passing it on.

Also autism seems to be genetic. I got autism from dad and hypermobility possibly from both parents but definitely mum was very bendy.

Bit of both I think. My DC is autistic, see traits in myself, my brother and my cousin. However I also had a horrendous pregnancy, low iron and terrible sickness all the way through. Traumatic birth, induced and then left! DC got stuck (massive baby) and was left there for 2 hours before they took us to theatre and then born via vontouse. Interesting to read about others pregnancy and births.

I think it’s generally scientifically accepted that Autism is congenital (present at birth) and has a genetic propensity (if you have 1 autistic child you have a roughly 1:4 probability of having another, 2 autistic children a 1:2 probability).

Autism is frequently described as delayed or incomplete development of the brain, so a (usually) structurally typical brain but with areas that have developmental differences than is typically seen. This could be areas of atypical electric conduction (how messages are sent and received), areas where there are microscopic structural changes(theorised) etc.

Anaemia, induction, position during birth, maternal PND, birth order etc etc etc are not causative for autism.

For some children their autism is as a result of a chromosomal change or abnormality. Some Chromosomal changes are highly linked with an autistic profile like fragile X syndrome.

My daughter is autistic because she is, not because of any outside elements or factors.

@Zoomycat Interesting, how big was your DC? Mine was 8lb 15oz, I struggled to push him hence the use of the ventouse. This baby also looks to be big 😟

If she was light then if you were induced then she would have been even lighter.

I strongly suspect that if you had insisted on an induction then you would be writing here about your guilt from having an induction and her very low birth weight and whether if you had let her stay in longer then would things be different.

I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that it is genetic - 2 of my 3 dc are diagnosed and the third is awaiting assessment, my nephew is also diagnosed and niece is awaiting assessment. My sister and I both think we are autistc (my assessment is soon - she is still wondering whether or not to pursue diagnosis) and it is likely that both of our parents are/were too. We have both married men with a good range of traits - neither are diagnosed at the moment. My family is amazing and we live (mostly) happy lives with some adjustments to suit our needs - I think it is probably easier when everyone is ND.

Genetics, my son has it, my late husband had it FIL clearly has it. God is he a challenging person, ticks all the boxes. Can't say about any further back, but I wonder from anecdotal stories, re liking routines, becoming distressby change etc.

Same my non verbal severely autistic 13 eat old has a chromosome deletion.

@Mumoftwoinprimary no..she was 8lb 2oz! My others were all around 9.5lb
However yes, we often do look for things to feel guilty about, even if we shouldn't.

I'm autistic.

It's genetic, end of story.

Genetic but with a gene mutation. Had genomes sequenced neither myself or my husband or other child have the mutation.

I had a difficult pregnancy, bled alot, conceived the cycle following a miscarriage and was put under an incredible amount of emotional stress by my dm and dgm while on bed rest. Dgm stopped talking to me because I wouldn't take my eldest child to visit when I was told not to move off the sofa/ bed. Lots of "killing her comments". Mh issues in family but no obvious autism in relatives we know.

genetics, babe

I agree with all of this