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?

Both of my children DS and DD are both autistic.
Husband is Autistic and we believe his dad and maternal Grandfather might has been too.
I have traits
so from my perspective its genetic

My first child is definitely on the spectrum. There was nothing amiss with my iron levels. He was a full term Caesarean. My second child was a few days short of full term for the Caesarean. He too is on the spectrum. I don't think the date of induction or anaemia has any affect on genetic inheritance.

People want to seize on the idea that it was something extrinsic and unlucky which caused autism. It is a much more comfortable thought that something other than your DNA or the the DNA of the partner you chose which is responsible. It gives people I suppose a feeling of control that if they'd done something different or different medical choices were made their child would not be autistic. I think you have to make your peace with the reality.

Genetics.

My mother's father, aunt and cousin. Although no language to describe it in those days, the memories are crystal clear.

We never knew the grandparents on that side, so can't tell any further back.