Sibling(s) autistic too?

[Newsenmum]

If you have an autistic child, are siblings also autistic and did it present in similar ways?

My first definitely is and I’m wondering about if the second will be too.

[Teacakesontheside]

1st and 3rd are diagnosed. 2nd didn't become obvious till at school as routine was so important for dc1 it probably meant a lot of issues were not as prominent as they may have been with dc3. They are girl/boy but actually present very similar.

[Headfirstintothewild]

I have 2 DC with ASD (well one has an Asperger Syndrome diagnosis because she was diagnosed before the switch) and another on the waiting list for assessment having already been diagnosed with ADHD. They all present differently. I am also autistic and in some ways present similarly to DD2 but in other ways I don’t.

[olderthanyouthink]

My brother is autistic with learning difficulties, very obvious. I was late diagnosed ADHD and I assume autistic too but not asked for assessment. DD is diagnosed autistic, not super obvious like my brother but she STRUGGLES, DS I just assume is because genetics and more mild traits/quirks... I assume the incoming DC3 will be too.

You can go up my family tree and theorise a handful more ND people, same with my partners family.

[Newsenmum]

Oh wow so strong chances we’ll be going through it all again 🙈

[eatdrinkandbemerry]

1st neurotypical
2nd severely autistic
3rd (wasn't a planned pregnancy) high functioning autistic.

[Headfirstintothewild]

I also have a DS with other complex needs. So, even if not autistic, there’s a chance of other additional needs.

[olderthanyouthink]

@Newsenmum maybe but also maybe not to the same degree or the same way.

DS is soooooo different to his big sister, he's a lot easier even if he has a bunch of annoying pain points (currently can't crash a window without him losing it and I'm very hit and pregnant!). Most of our families aren't even noticeably ND until we had to look into it because DD was in such a state.

[Justploddingonandon]

I don't think my DS is. I do sometimes wonder as he's a quiet sensitive boy and he does show some slight traits but could that be due to living with two ND people (me and DD) so it seems normal. Either way he's thriving at school and showing no issues elsewhere so no point pursuing a diagnosis at this point.

[SuiGeneris]

Yes. DS1 diagnosed at 6, but I had had suspicions for a while. DS2 I started to wonder around 6 and was diagnosed at 8. Both high functioning ASD but present very differently. DH is probably also ND, and I have autistic traits. Looking up the family tree there are other examples that I wonder about.

On the upside it means you will understand what might work more easily than someone who comes to it fresh

[Unfortunatelyagain]

Not always - 100% x 2 NT children
One child pda - find life exceptionally difficult 😭 it's so sad 🥲
One is likely ASD too but can exist and enjoy life / socialise - doesn't find life hard - so totally manageable

All from the same father - so can't always predict

[Sprinkles211]

Yes 1st I knew was asd but she wasn't diagnosed till age 16! (Because she masked so well in public and highly academic)

2nd severe told at 10 months official diagnosis age 3

3rd severe currently only 15 months (already under 8 nhs services and told she will get official diagnosis aged 3)