If you had one SEN DC

[user24197]

Did any of your subsequent children also have SEN?

My dc is autistic and I'm just interested to know if it is likely my next will also have it. I'm not sure how much genetics actually does contribute so looking for responses from others..

Are you and or DH autistic?

2 of my 3 dc have asd (although I wasn't aware at the time). I also suspect that I have asd..

@BlackeyedSusan No. Nobody in our immediate family has a diagnosis either so really no answers as to why my DS has it

All 3 of our DC are Autistic. We both have Autistic siblings and I think I have ADD.

@Bookchildtable To be honest I am kind of expecting my second to have ASD, just because I also know a few other families who have multiple SEN children

I was in this position op. There is an increased risk for subsequent sibs. My second dc is much less obviously impacted. Has a different ND dx and autistic traits plus borderline ADHD.

My first born (m) has ASD with a PDA profile and ADHD. My second born (f) has ADHD, but the jury is currently out on if we pursue an ASD diagnosis. She’s coping fine at the moment.

Of the numerous families I know where one child has suspected or diagnosed ASD or ADHD, I'd say 70-80% have a neurodivergent sibling. It can look very different from sibling to sibling however and quite often in the families I know one with less obvious needs has been diagnosed or picked up on at a much older age.

No idea if that's reflective of society as a whole.

My DS1 has ASD, my DS2 is NT as far as we know! I suspect I have ASD but not diagnosed.

I know some families with multiple Autistic children, I know other's that only have one DC who's Autistic. Of those with multiple Autistic children most of them have one or more parents who are Autistic or have ADHD. A lot of these parents aren't officially diagnosed, we're getting a much better idea of the prevalence of ND for those that are children now than in previous generations.

I have two kids - both autistic.

Theres also a TON of undiagnosed neurodivergence in both mine and my husband’s families. Once I started spotting it, I couldn’t stop.

My best friend from school was never diagnosed with anything at the time but was always a bit "odd"; her older brother is autistic. In recent years she has also been diagnosed, which is no surprise to me, but they are at very different points on the spectrum i.e. her brother is non-verbal, she is a dentist who got AAAA at A-Level but tends to hyperfixate on unusual things and has limited friends. Neither parent is neurodivergent.

To be honest I think I do have traits of autism but not enough to pursue a diagnosis. Perhaps the genetics come from me. Interesting replies, thanks all

No, eldest DD is ASD & ADHD, younger DD is not. No other diagnosis in family.

Yes, both my sons are autistic, but with different comorbid conditions.

Having worked with lots of autistic children and young people I’d say it seems to be hugely genetically linked. Anecdotal observation.

One in five.

2 of my 3 definitely are but 1 struggling more. I can see that I am too and probably their dad too. 100% my own dad

I'm not quite sure why this is AIBU - but yes, it'd pretty much beyond doubt that autism tends to run in families. FWIW it's co-morbid with other SEN on the dyslexia/dyspraxia spectrum, too. My family tree is like a map of this.

Middle dc diagnosed ASD first (as well as learning disabilities and a genetic disease to boot), then my firstborn a few years later. Number 3 still a baby so we’ll see.

Also since we began our ND journey, I would say with 99.9% certainty my grandma, mum, uncle, older brother and me are all undiagnosed Autistic. It became glaringly obvious the more progress towards diagnosis we made. It has answered so many questions within our family.

I’m fairly certain my mum is ASC/ADHD. All 4 of my siblings present with ADD/ADHD traits but are undiagnosed. Two nephews, confirmed ADHD, likely ASC too. One niece on the pathway for ASC, she currently non verbal. A lot of men on my maternal side likely have ADHD, classic self medicating with smoking/alcohol but incredibly bright. They’re all either professors or engineers.

And both mine are ASC/ADHD too as am I. Their father is highly likely ADHD. His father almost certainly ASC. Once you know what to look out for it’s almost impossible not to see it!

My oldest had ASD. We weren’t aware when she was 2 and I became pregnant with child 2. Second born had dyslexia, probably dyspraxia and possibly OCD.

I think DH has ASD. He knows he has social anxiety but ignores any mention of ASD. I suspect I am ND but mask much better than DH. I can see it in my family on both sides.

Yes DD1 is autistic, so is DS who is younger, although he was diagnosed first as he has higher needs. DH is also autistic, diagnosed later in life (after DS). I am pretty sure my father and his sister are also autistic so it is likely there are genetic influences from both sides of the family in our case.

DD has adhd and very mild symptoms of ASD. DS is neurotypical

I wonder if I had another baby and it was a girl, whether the symptoms would be more severe.
I've been told this is a thing.

The risk is increased and I work with lots of families who have more than once dc with autism and other neurodevelopment disorders.

In my experience and knowledge a subsequent child doesn't necessarily present with more severe symptoms. I've seen children with less severe symptoms that were only picked up because parent recognised some differences that perhaps would've gone unnoticed for quite a while.