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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Autism & pregnancy

1 reply

beckyt12345 · 22/06/2023 11:41

I have 3 children - my eldest & youngest are NT but my middle daughter (5 yrs) is waiting assessment for autism, most health professionals are convinced she is. I'm just wondering what people's thoughts are regarding pregnancy and autism link?
During my middle child's pregnancy I was under a LOT of stress. Our marriage was going through a bad time, I was struggling to work & look after eldest, she was also conceived immediately after a missed miscarriage at 12 wks with the help of tablets. I guess I'm wondering wether it was the stress in pregnancy that caused my daughter's autism since pregnancy was fine with the other 2 and they're NT? Has anyone researched this? I just can't seem to shake the guilt. She's such a lovely little girl & I'm worried for her future with autism. I feel like it's my fault for not staying more relaxed during the pregnancy.
Thank you

OP posts:
EHCP22 · 23/06/2023 18:49

Hi,
I guess most people are looking for answers and blaming themselves at some point after their DC being diagnosed. Environmental factors and genetics seem to be the most likely explanations. A lot of women would have been under stress during pregnancies( also some very large groups in times of war etc), this hasn’t created generations of ND children.

After DC’s diagnosis I can see that my partner and I are very unlikely to be NT… I don’t think that your stress levels are the cause-don’t blame yourself. Xx

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