Does anyone know if autism/epilepsy is associated with birth difficulties or lack of oxygen at birth? I was told that this was the cause of my problems. This was about thirty years ago. A friend told me that perhaps it might only have exacerbated, not caused the condition. I understand that this might be a sensitive issue for parents - but just wondering about the known medical facts/details. Thanks...

There are metabolic abnormalities known to be associated w/many forms of autism. To the best of my knowledge, these are not acquired during the birth process, but are genetic, or perhaps genetic predisposition + environmental trigger.

I have heard that some forms of epilepsy can be due to brain damage at birth. Then again, some types of epilepsy are metabolic.

Do you have both autism & epilepsy? Have you looked into the gluten-free diet? It has helped some people with both disorders.

Certainly low O2 at birth can cause or exacerbate many neurological problems.

Best wishes.

I have a mild seizure disorder (fortunately controlled by medication) and, I suspect, some traits of Asperger Syndrome. I don't think I had any birth trauma, but my mom's labor with me was long (16 hours) and my delivery was fast. However, I seemed normal until I started kindergarten. I still don't know if my major problem was caused by my English as a Second Language background, or Asperger's traits. (I started kindergarten speaking mostly German, but eventually went on to get a Master's in English.) I was strong academically, but weak socially.

elmhar gave great points scientifically, something I can't do :D All I can give is my personal side.

I am almost the opposite of 9CatMom. I have AS/HFA (currently dxed as AS but I have a speech and cognitive delays), and I have what is suspected to be Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. I had no head or birth trauma, and I never was deprived of oxygen. The labor was average as well as the delivery. I came out fine, however, my mother had to stay in the hopital a few weeks after my birth because of a doctors fault.

Personally, from what I know I lean more towards Autism being genetic factor along with possible environment causes, and Epilepsy having a genetic factor with brain abnormalties.

SGH

We had no problems delivering Liam, infact he was a scheduled c-section. I am 100% convinced that he was bor this way. He refused to breast feed, struggling to get away from day one. I think that he didn't like te super-close contact. We put him on a bottle at day five, and he loved it. And, there was no trauma, after his birth. So, I think he was autistic before he was ever born.