autism and 2nd children - Autism Spectrum Message Board

laurie1878 · 01-12-2006, 07:56 PM

I am 35 years old and have a 7-year old daughter from my first marriage who was diagnosed last year with PDD-NOS. I am divorced and now in a new relationship. I was wondering what the odds were of my having another child with autism with a different partner. I dream of having more children, but are my chances of having another child with this condition doubled since I already have one-- even if it is conceived with a different father? Have there been any studies or statistics to indicate that this condition is passed on through the mother primarily? I am scared-- Please help!

PinkPiglet · 01-12-2006, 11:29 PM

I have one with Aspergers. He's my firstborn. My younger two do not have any signs of autism at all.

Jeannie

bercol1 · 01-13-2006, 04:50 AM

Hi
If you look further down there is a thread that discusses this, there is also another thread discussing MMR you might want to read some people talk about genetics on this.
i think the best advice would be to get geneitic councelling. Speek to your GP.
i have two children my first is a girl who has no developmental problems and my second is my son Anthony who was dx with Autism

geezermom · 01-13-2006, 08:14 AM

For a quick, accurate answer on the odds, do a google to find the big, national autism sites. There's gobs of factual information there, and I'd guess they discuss the likelihood of autism with a sibling...the new daddy might "dilute" the likelihood.

If you guys are serious about babies, DO see a genetic counselor but make your fiancee research his second cousins, etc so you can accurately inform the doc.

FYI, my 5 yr old boy is PDD NOS and his nearly 3yr old brother is a regular Oprah Winfrey...never met a stranger.

Jana2676 · 01-16-2006, 01:36 AM

I recently read on a national website, that is the likely hood of having another child on the spectrum is between 5-10%. My 6 year old daughter is on the spectrum, while my 3 year old son is typical. My sister has a 3 year old typical son, and a 2 year old son on the spectrum. My aunt's oldest child is on the spectrum while her younger two are not. I think its just a numbers game. But I am glad we didn't know my daughter on the spectrum when we decided to have another child. I don't know of that would have influnced our decision, but I am thankful for my sweet little son.