What are the chances of having a child with AS or autism?

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Chrissy1993
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11 Sep 2011, 7:32 pm

I myself am not on the spectrum, though I do share some unique traits with my autistic cousin, but my boyfriend has AS. He has basically in a nutshell asked me to marry him, though not "officially" because he won't do that until I finish college. He has brought it to my attention many months ago that he fears that he may pass on AS to his children (actually he said "our children"). I told him that he shouldn't fear that because he/she will still be your child, and you will understand them more than I ever will. I am curious, what would be the chances of having a child with AS if one of the parents have it?



musicislife
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11 Sep 2011, 7:51 pm

I'm not entirely sure; I'm also not sure if there has been any research into the exact chances of a couple, one with AS and the other NT, having a child on the spectrum. I can tell you this: my father is an undiagnosed Aspie, my mother is very firmly NT, my sister is also NT though I am an Aspie as well; my dad's sister on the other hand, does not have AS, nor does her husband (though AS runs in my dad's family), and only 1 of their 3 children has AS.

He is not alone in worrying about passing on AS to any children he may have in the future; I believe that all Aspies considering having children worry about it. You are right, a parent with AS (who knows about it) will have more insight into their child's (if they too have AS) mind. It might be a nice thing to remind him that, if the two of you do decide to have children, as an Aspie himself, he would be more likely to notice the signs of AS at an early age so any appropriate steps to get help or a diagnosis can be taken.


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Chrissy1993
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11 Sep 2011, 9:28 pm

He also worries about his over active inner child. He can't contain himself in an arcade or amusement park, and he simply acts like a little kid. He told me he is scared that he might embarrass his kid if he acts this way and end up driving the child to hate him. I was completely confused about this because I was like, I think parents are suppose to embarrass their child. XD



Wreck-Gar
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11 Sep 2011, 9:31 pm

Chrissy1993 wrote:
He also worries about his over active inner child. He can't contain himself in an arcade or amusement park, and he simply acts like a little kid. He told me he is scared that he might embarrass his kid if he acts this way and end up driving the child to hate him. I was completely confused about this because I was like, I think parents are suppose to embarrass their child. XD


I'd prefer that my parents be more childlike than old grumps!



hoegaandit
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11 Sep 2011, 10:31 pm

I don't know the stats for a child of one AS parent having AS, but the stats for one schizophrenic parent having a child who develops schizophrenia in that child's life is about one in ten.