ASD in third and subsequent children

[Gingernut1989]

I have 2 children from my previous marriage both with ASD and attending special school. I obviously adore them both that goes without saying but particularly when they were younger it was really hard work. They will be 12 and 15 when baby is here so ideally I would like to have another so this baby isn't an only child pretty much.

Is there anyone that knows the likelihood of subsequent children being on the spectrum?

You should request an appointment with a specialist/obstetrician to discuss this.
A new partner may decrease the likelihood but your increased age might increase the likelihood.

Thanks. I was 19 and 22 with my older children and I am now 34 (35 when baby is born) so I am older but still of the age most women are starting families. I wouldn't know where to begin with a specialist; I assume I start with asking the midwife if they can point me in the right direction. I can't afford anything privately and didn't know this was an option on the nhs. I aren't sure if there are any tests available or anything but I would still like to know what the chances are.

I think it would depend on which parent the gene came from - do you think it was you or your ex-partner?
Even so, I don't think it's always a guarantee when it is in the genes anyway - my DH was diagnosed ASD at 4 but his younger sister doesn't, and neither does our 3 year old son (showing no ASD traits yet anyway).

I think the statistic is if you have one autistic child, it's a 50/50 chance of subsequent children being autistic too?

Either way, plan for your worst case scenario. We have an autistic child and when we considered our worst case scenario, decided against another because if worst case scenario happened it would be wuite disasterous for all, but it wasn't an easy decision to make

Surely the 50/50 statistic is another child with the same father?
Is there any family history in your extended family?

Do you know who likely passed on the relevant genes? You or your ex?

I was gonna say the same, does asd run in your side of the family op or exs? I know it’s not always genetic but guess it’s likely if you have 2 dc, both with autism.
We have two dc both diagnosed, and we would have liked a third but didn’t, the two we have are hard enough, as much as they are loved! Couldn’t go through it again unfortunately.

I think the only way to give an accurate statistic would be to have genetic testing. It really depends on if they find anything in your chromosomes or genes. Although science only goes so far and still may not give answers.

When our son was diagnosed the clinical psychologists said there was approx a 20% chance of further children having autism. DS’s cousin is non-verbal, other cousin autistic and three of other cousin’s children have now been diagnosed.

I aren't entirely sure regarding the genes. Ex dh is almost definitely what used to be called aspergers. I was selective mute in my first year of school but then managed pretty well otherwise. I have a broad social group of friends and he doesn't really have any since we left school. He has remarried and had 2 more children (one of which is "quirky" as they call her) but he doesn't go out with friends . He stays home whenever his wife has social things.

I wonder if 20% increases with each child to a higher percentage ? I wouldn't know where to start with asking .

There is a genetic link but I think it commonly comes from the father so if your current DP is not ASD any future offspring may not be. Only way to be sure is genetic testing.

Risk of autism increases with paternal age but not maternal age.

Autism in women presents differently than in men so I wouldn’t assume that you don’t have it just by comparing yourself to your ex.

I don’t think it’s cumulative, just a flat 20% chance they said. Educational psychologists not clinical psychologists, my mistake. They referred DS for a blood test to see if there were any genetic things to pick up, but there weren’t any. It sounds as if your DS’s father has Asperger’s, his profile is very similar to my DS’s side of the family.

4 Grandsons .
3 Brothers age 19..
17 and 16 all ASD/ Eldest Aspergers and dyspraxia.
Cousin age 10 ASD.
Mums are sisters.
Myself and youngest daughter ASD.

It's from either parent equally, and can't be genetically tested for as it's a combination of genes (many of which aren't even identified yet) and genes associated with autism are also found in neurotypical people. It's not as simple as "this gene means yes, this means no".

Dh and I have 5 dc. 4 have asd and 1 has learning disabilities.