Does ASD have to run in your family

[Jdeisher]

i really only know of one family member that has been formally diagnosed with ASD. It is my nephew who is 8. My family does have its hand full with issues and mental problems of course. Both my parents are heavy drinkers and smokers(tobacco). And ever single male on my moms side of the family has been diagnosed with either bipolar, depression, anxiety ADHD(myself). And al of them(except me) have major problems with alcohol and drug addiction. If my mother has been diagnosed with something I don’t know about it because she wouldn’t tell me. Now I don’t know if any family members have been misdiagnosed and really are on the spectrum. But I just wanted to see how common it is if parents don’t have it

 

[Keigan]

There are plenty of studies that have identified genetic markers for autism, there have only been a few studies that have made suggestion of those genetics being hereditary. Recently there are more current studies that indicate that autism might be more related to the health condition of the woman at conception and during pregnancy. Every study indicates “more research required to be conclusive”.

In my opinion, alcohol and drug addiction are choices for coping with much deeper rooted symptoms.

 

[dragoncat16]

I think my dad is on the spectrum (though undiagnosed), and if it weren't hereditary, why are there so many people on this forum who are either parents to multiple children on the spectrum, or have siblings with the condition? I think that it definitely is hereditary, and the reason why parents can have multiple children on the spectrum is because at least one is on the spectrum themselves but is perhaps undiagnosed themselves. Studies have definitively determined that a person is much more likely to be on the spectrum if a sibling is also on the spectrum, and the occurence is much higher in identical twins (though not 100%, oddly enough). That suggests a combination of genetics which give a strong predisposition to the condition and other factors present in the womb and early infancy.

I don't think it could just be something like complications during pregnancy and nothing to do with genetics, because then there would be a definite, traceable causal connection and no familial patterns. It could also be that people who are undiagnosed but are still on the spectrum are more likely to get together and produce children than they were in previous centuries.

As for addiction, bipolar disorder, etc., there is a specific area of the brain associated with each of those, just as there is a specific type of brain structure that is associated with autism. While there are sometimes comorbid conditions, I don't think that justifies lumping all "mental problems" together and trying to associate them with ASD. That last sentence might come across as critical, but it wasn't meant that way. It is just meant to caution people who might be tempted to do that. However, conditions such as depression and anxiety are more likely environmental than genetic and could easily result from ASD because of the difficulties in navigating in society. I guess it is important to keep in mind that not everyone who is diagnosable is necessarily diagnosed, and given that a diagnosis requires difficulties in life, those who technically have ASD but for whom it doesn't cause problems (or for whom certain other problems overshadow the ASD) won't be diagnosed either.

 

[Gritches]

Both parents have autistic traits, whether or not they're actually on the spectrum I will never know

 

[Judge]

I'm apt to think hereditary conditions can be very haphazard as to what generations may be impacted by them. Where some conditions may be more prominent than others in one generation, and completely skip another.

My father and his brother had to deal with heart disease. None of their sons appear to have such issues. Yet of two sets of two sons, I'm apt to think my first cousin is also an undiagnosed Aspie in his 60s as am I.

And of us four cousins, only my brother is the one with a son, and he is clearly Neurotypical. Go figure!

Other than my one first cousin, only one other comes to mind. Though I'm not sure he is on the spectrum, or just eccentric. I didn't know him well enough to make any real conclusions. He was the son of my mother's second cousin.

 

[Jdeisher]

I mean I do see some traits in my parents but like I said my dad was not around much in my early childhood, and I can’t really determine my moms behaviors, because they were treated very badly as children. I mean from what my mom told me I did as a child and from what I do now, I am almost 100% positive that I have ASD

 

[Chance]

I would think maybe my Uncle (he is quiet, I notice stuff in him) and my Grams (maybe for sure) I act like her... I have been told that all my life. But who knows... My aunt was the only family member that would discuss my childhood with the counselor (Grams had already passed away). The others refused, I guess guilt was playing a huge part in that.

I am the only diagnosed case in my family... and that isn't allowed to be discussed... period. My future x wife will actually lie about it, and call me a liar also, if I was to ever dare mention it...

She was right there when I was diagnosed and released... She openly refused it on the spot (right in front of my counselor), and has ever since. Her hate wall went way high and stayed there. And NT's are supposed to be loving, caring, people? Give me a reason to believe people...

 

[xudo]

Only one person in my family is likely on the spectrum, albeit undiagnosed (uncle on my Dad's side).

 

[pjcnet]

Yes, I'm one of 3 brothers, all of which are now autistic adults. We were all extremely slow with general development, especially with speech as young children, however unlike my brothers who sadly still have speech issues, can't read or write, or even count to 5, I started improving as I got older, although I've still kept various autistic traits. As far as I know there's no-one else in my family who is autistic.

I have always had suspicions that our autism has something to do with my mother having asthma during pregnancy and there has never been any genetic testing. Back in the 1970s when experts including Professor Michael Rutter were fascinated in our family due to all 3 of us being diagnosed as autistic against astronomical odds they didn't believe that there was any genetic link to autism, my parents however eventually got really fed up with all the expert interest and by the late 1970s they stopped cooperating with them for further tests. The experts kept wanting more and there was apparently no end to it, we'd already seen numerous experts and was even sent over 100 miles away to the Maudsley Hospital in London to see Professor Michael Rutter who was the highest expert in the UK field as well as lots of other experts (we was there for a whole day). I actually remember seeing the professor, but I was more interested in watching a CCTV camera following me around the room which was rare technology to see in the 1970s. Apparently the professor was absolutely fascinated by my behaviour and confirmed that I was autistic. He is now known as Sir Professor Michael Rutter since he was later knighted for his work with autistic children.

 

[Jdeisher]

I am pretty positive my mom smoked while she was pregnant with me. She denies it but she had 3 children and has been smoking since she was a teen so I don’t think you stop for 9 months and then go right back to it like that, but I’ll never know if she maybe took something else or not. My older sister and younger brother seem fine, my brother had medical issues physically and is socially awkward but that’s it...and my sister is DRAMA lol

 

[Bolletje]

I'm 100% sure it's in both my maternal and paternal line, but only two people in my father's line have been officially diagnosed that I'm aware of (one first cousin, one third cousin).

 

[InPrincipio]

I have come to believe that both of my parents were/are Aspies.

One of my brother's sons was diagnosed when he was young, before I knew anything about autism. The older son was extremely smart (prob. gifted), but he has many aspie traits. I don't remember there being so much about my brother that would make me think he is autistic, but his wife's brother might be an undiagnosed aspie and maybe her dad as well.

Then, there's my kids. All 3 tested as gifted in IQ, but my middle child (oldest son) was also diagnosed with ASD at the age of 12 (nearly 4 years ago). I do see some a few aspie "traits" in the others and my husband, but for the most part, not really - mainly the typical traits of many gifted introverts.

 

[Dadwith2Autisticsons]

I think ASD is genetics, or possibly resulting from the health of the mother during pregnancy, as my wife had issues with her physical and emotional health during such.

Neither my wife or I ever smoked or drank, so I feel that cannot be a cause for our case, nor do I think any other environment issue is the cause.

Both my wife and I have some Autistic traits, with her having many sensitivities and some related neurological issues, and whereas I have the more perfectionism, social shyness and quirks and avoidance of emotional closeness. If either of us has ASD it would likely be me, but combining her genes and mine, I feel it could cause ASD, too, as each has differing traits of ASD.

We have two Autistic children, each different in terms of signs and symptoms. One has more sensory issues, whereas one more rigid routines. One is more clingy, happy and active, the other more quirky and logical. One has more behavioral issues, whereas the other more perfectionist. Both do have sensory issues, routine needs though, but of varying severity. Whereas one is progressing in most areas not far off from his peers, the other is stuck at 18 months for most things.

 

[Fitzo]

I think my father may have had AS and my brother's child does. Experts seem to think it may be be caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and possible environmental factors.

 

[Butterfly88]

No one in my family is formally diagnosed with autism except me. My dad and my cousin's son (on my mom's side) both seem to have some traits, but it's likely not enough for a diagnosis.