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+-- Forum: General (/forumdisplay.php?fid=48)
+--- Forum: Genetic Issues (/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+--- Thread: How genetic is asperger's? (/showthread.php?tid=8959)
How genetic is asperger's? - Emily Brown - 05-29-2007 06:18 AM
Hello,
I am talking about the possibilty of raising a family with my partner. He has a 12 year old daughter who has asperger's disorder from a previous marriage. I am not sure of the severity but I think it is quite a mild case as she goes to a normal school.
What is the likelyhood of our future children inheriting this disorder? Are there any tests he can take to determine if the genes are on his side or the mother's or how strong/present these genes may be? I suspect however that the genes are on his side as he had pretty severe ADD as a child.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - tenaciouscj - 05-29-2007 01:20 PM
Mm, I don't think there are any particular tests he could take. It would be interesting if any other members of his family besides his daughter were affected by autistic spectrum conditions.
Btw, it would be a good idea to be careful about referring to autism as a "disorder" since most of us view it as a condition or a neurological variation rather than as an illness or a disease.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Fruitcake - 05-29-2007 02:43 PM
There are no test's. I know in my family the traits are there in both my mum and my father, also my sister. I was joking to my mum about finding an autistic sperm doner (I am a 30 year old single woman with no kids) she said I should go to a sperm bank so I could get me some normal genes, I told her to you know what! Though seriously me and my sister are on the spectrum we have both grew up well, we were not labelled as kids. I also work with disabled adults and there are classic autistic kids in my family. I know its a hard thing bringing up a moderate to severely disabled child, but asperger's we just different with varying issues. There a million and one what's if's? If ya want kids stop worrying and plan on a healthy pregnency, avoid things that are preventable like Spina Bifda (folic aci yea?), eat healthy and don't smoke/don't drink loads. Excuse my spelling, little bit dyslexic. Carrying on reading the boards and look at the positive stuff. By the way you are playing with fire with this thread on here! Sorry but I agree difference not disorder yea!
By the way I did read that they believe that the chances are increased with the father's age but not mother's, then there are lots of theories I take no notice.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Ivar T - 05-29-2007 02:44 PM
You should definitely understand that AS is afar from a tormenting disorder, people with AS have tried to express this numerous times. Look at this YouTube video, it has a twist in it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AQkfAyAfhQ
Asperger Syndrome is nothing to be afraid of, but as a parent you should try to understand it and be prepared from those diffuculties that are common for kids with AS.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Fruitcake - 05-29-2007 02:58 PM
On the subject of ASD running in families, since my diagnosis and my family realising what I did months ago (the oh that explain's ya uncle, ya sister, ya mum etc) my aunt gave the classic statement of that what probably attracted my mum to my dad. I also started to realise I attracted to guys with similiar personality traits, I will add that these traits are strong and turns out my ex also has ASD in his family. Anyone figure this too? Its like I have an inbuild aspie radar!
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Emily Brown - 05-29-2007 03:09 PM
Thanks so much for all your feedback guys... A thousand apologies for calling it a 'disorder'. I only just became familiar with Asperger's Sydrome today so I guess I wasn't thinking clearly when I hastily wrote this post. Really sorry about that - hope I didn't cause any ill feelings. There is a lot for me to learn which is why I hit the forums first as I wanted to talk to 'real' people who live with asperger's every day.
As for the rest of his family, I know his father had a terrible temper and he doesn't talk to him anymore.
Any more comments re. my original post are still greatly appreciated..
Thanks again,
Emily
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Fruitcake - 05-29-2007 03:32 PM
Try reading Asperger's and Girls by Tony Attwood, loved the chapter by Ruth Synder.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Emily Brown - 05-30-2007 03:18 PM
Thanks for that... I'll look it up.
I've read that Asperger's can tend to be diluted as it gets passed down. Has anybody else herd of this? Therefore if his daughter from a previous marriage has Asperger's which isn't too servere i.e. she doesn't attend a school for special needs, that even if I did have a child with Asperger's it wouldn't be such a servere condition. Or that the chances of me having a child with Asperger's are even slimmer.
The fact that my partner does not actaully have Asperger's, he only had ADHD as a child also makes me think that the chances of our baby having Asperger's are even slimmer. I know that one can't predict what life will throw at you and there is no magic formula but I am just trying to figure out the chance of it happening. Obiviously, if I did have a child with Asperger's I would love it unconditionally regardless. I am just trying to get my head around it all...
Surely there would be a higher chance if both the mother and father had Asperger's rather than the father having ADHD as a child?
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - kabie - 05-30-2007 04:57 PM
I've not heard of it being diluted as it gets past down, don't think that applies in my family where did you read it?
My familiy's a mix of autism, ADHD and a few other things.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Emily Brown - 05-31-2007 02:50 AM
I just read it in a forum thread....
There is also a bit of disagreement as to whether ADHD is connected to Asperger's. Because my partner had quite severe ADHD as a child I took this as a sign that it was most probably from his side of the family rather than his previous wive's. He is completely NeuroTypical now though.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - kylo4 - 06-01-2007 01:31 PM
There are people with AS who can train themselves for years to pick up on social cues and do this and that, and although it never goes away, they could marry someone and that person wouldn't even know.
I don't understand why it is so important for you to know because it is a touchy subject with the community (parents who think of it as an illness or disorder). People with AS can have above average intelligence, maintain jobs, and be successful. They just think differently.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Emily Brown - 06-01-2007 03:14 PM
Before I started talking to people on the forums less than a week ago, I was very ignorant of Asperger's but now I know a lot more. I have learnt so much during my interaction on these forums and talking to people.
I have decided that it doesn't matter if the child has Asperger's and that you are right, it is not such a bad thing after all. I was just ignorant and I sincerely apologise if this came across the wrong way. It will just be good to be aware so that I can look out for the signs and make sure that my child has the best and most relevant care available if needed.
I hope you understand..
Emily
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Ivar T - 06-01-2007 03:48 PM
You seem to be very open-minded, that's definitely a good thing for a such a new thing for many people such as autism.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Ookea - 06-07-2007 04:01 PM
I know I'm kind of late replying to this thread, but from looking at my family on both my maternal and paternal sides, it's like super mega genetic. At least 90% on my mother's side have it, and about 80% on my father's side (though you'll never get any of them to admit it, neither side), with all sorts of ADD and ADHD mixed in on both sides. Although, it might just be a fluke, or something.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Shrek - 06-07-2007 04:05 PM
I suspect every male member on my dad's side of the family, minus his sisters two sons, could be AS: my brother, father, and two uncles who do not have children. I am officially diagnosed AS.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Neo - 09-15-2007 05:04 PM
Ookea Wrote:
with all sorts of ADD and ADHD mixed in on both sides. Although, it might just be a fluke, or something.
Someone came into work not long after I first went to the doctor and asked for a diagnosis. She was giving neuro diversity training. The person in question explained that people who are 'nueroligicaly diverse' are often attracted to each other because they will be excepting of each others behavour. Behavour that would be veiwed as 'strange' by others. Having dyslexia herself she smiled and said jokingly 'so we can all be strange together'.
I think that, presuming what she says is true (and it seems likely to me) the ADHD and the AS is perhaps down to the fact that people with the ADHD genes and AS genes got on and became partners.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Ethel - 09-16-2007 12:54 AM
Related question from an ignorant Aspie: is the actual severity of ASD heritable?
For instance, if an Aspie has children, does that mean their kids might be Aspie, or that their kids could be anywhere on the spectrum?
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - EvilZakkie - 09-16-2007 01:17 AM
Ethel Wrote:
Related question from an ignorant Aspie: is the actual severity of ASD heritable?
For instance, if an Aspie has children, does that mean their kids might be Aspie, or that their kids could be anywhere on the spectrum?
For instance, if an Aspie has children, does that mean their kids might be Aspie, or that their kids could be anywhere on the spectrum?
I think it's pretty much random - There's quite a few Aspies on the site that have Autistic children, and most likely vice-versa. There's also a few people that have changing functioning levels during their life, suggesting that the differences in the spectrum may be developmental or personality based, rather than genetic.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Meiloyn - 09-17-2007 12:30 PM
From personal experience, I think the "severity" depends on how many children your child interacts with prior to school. I interacted with almost none, so those skills didn't exist until first grade.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Batman55 - 09-18-2007 08:41 AM
Ethel Wrote:
Related question from an ignorant Aspie: is the actual severity of ASD heritable?
For instance, if an Aspie has children, does that mean their kids might be Aspie, or that their kids could be anywhere on the spectrum?
For instance, if an Aspie has children, does that mean their kids might be Aspie, or that their kids could be anywhere on the spectrum?
Personally, I think the severity is heritable, as I have observed a very similar pattern of developmental delay in my mother's brother, myself, and my brother. My mother is the suspected carrier, who is somewhat (but not fully) asymptomatic.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Batman55 - 09-18-2007 08:43 AM
Meiloyn Wrote:
From personal experience, I think the "severity" depends on how many children your child interacts with prior to school. I interacted with almost none, so those skills didn't exist until first grade.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
If you had interacted with more kids prior to first grade.. how do you think your AS would have manifested, Meiloyn?
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - woman from mars - 09-18-2007 05:18 PM
None of my grandparents were normal, all were considered to be eccentric.
My biological father is eccentric to say the least.
My mother had something wrong with her, she certainly wasn't 'normal'
One half sister is probably on the spectrum
one half brother is VERY shy & dyslexic
I am certain I am AS
My two boys are AS
My daughter thinks she has traits.
I have two nephews who are highly likely AS.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Shrek - 09-18-2007 05:54 PM
Dad was an intellectual, almost had a Master's, strong interest in history, socially reclusive (retired to thinly settled part of area between Martinsburg and Berkeley Springs WV and even then had a crane put in a mini-house behind the main house, with electric hookup, to retreat from the family too), honest to a fault, law abiding, patriotic, probably thought he was generous, and was, but came across as an a--h--- a lot (to me anyway)
His older brother retired from teaching math, nifty math sort of person, had a free come-and-go lifestyle visiting in and going out just as freely, married for first time maybe ten years ago
His younger brother retired from chemistry, unmarried.
His sister did complain about the "Marsh curse" during her divorce process before she remarried. The brothers talk about Marsh curse like a joke.
My brother is a computer programmer with 16.5 years experience, one year of college equivalent, complains of community alienation nd sometimes romantic isolation. Has his own unique religion, best thing to call it.
Mom seemed sociable, well educated, and in fact did qualify for and joined MENSA (for geniuses) for a short time (until listening to the male egos was too much for her), but seemed naive with regard to acquaintances neighbors et cetera who took advantage of her financially
Only I have the Asperger diagnosis but I think it runs in the family.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - tenaciouscj - 09-19-2007 03:52 PM
Uh, I don't think there are really family "curses" but I suppose it could seem that way sometimes.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Shrek - 09-19-2007 04:52 PM
My aunt is an R.N. (maybe retired), so when between divorce and remarriage she said a bitter joke about an anatomically incorrect baby born on the reservation (then living in Wisconsin), we took her seriously until the punch line.
It was a male baby and he had a brain.
One thing about MENSA. Aside from listing Mom incorrectly as never married (but correctly listing two kids), the menfolk did not take her seriously about her solution to provide for children of geniuses. Moreover, I think they liked looking at Mom, a natural blond (though I remembered her as brown and eventually brown gray) who never weighed much more than 100 pounds even when pregnant
Who would have guessed from my picture?
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - tenaciouscj - 09-21-2007 05:58 PM
Batman55 Wrote:
Meiloyn Wrote:
From personal experience, I think the "severity" depends on how many children your child interacts with prior to school. I interacted with almost none, so those skills didn't exist until first grade.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
If you had interacted with more kids prior to first grade.. how do you think your AS would have manifested, Meiloyn?
Hm, I was fine until I had to interact with other children. Being just about the smallest in the class meant I got bullied a lot.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - willjenn - 09-25-2007 12:53 AM
tenaciouscj Wrote:
Batman55 Wrote:
Meiloyn Wrote:
From personal experience, I think the "severity" depends on how many children your child interacts with prior to school. I interacted with almost none, so those skills didn't exist until first grade.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
If you had interacted with more kids prior to first grade.. how do you think your AS would have manifested, Meiloyn?
Hm, I was fine until I had to interact with other children. Being just about the smallest in the class meant I got bullied a lot.
Same here. My son, however is autistic and he was interacting with other kids very early on(like 2), but still at 5 doesn't play with kids. I think he wants to but doesn't know how. He is nonverbal except for one word which is "bubba" which is his cousin's(about the same age as he is) nickname. When he sees a picture of his cousin or himself he says it and asks to go see him by signing "car" and saying "Bubba". But once we get there he doesn't play with him. He plays in the same room as him, but doesn't actually play with him.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Nominalist - 09-25-2007 02:26 AM
Our neurodiversity presents us with a set of predispositions. There is, however, a complex set of interactions between neurology and socialization which remains largely unclear to neurologists and psychiatrists.
I have Asperger's and OCD (both diagnosed). However, as a child I was grossly misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, hospitalized for a short time (at 11 years old) and given a battery of ECTs (electroconvulsive treatments) Sadly, my situation was not at all uncommon for the time (1960s).
My sister has ADHD-inattentive type, OCD, and narcolepsy (all diagnosed); while my mother (deceased) had, I suspect, serious OCD (undiagnosed) which was principally manifested in her insomnia (diagnosed), i.e., she obsessed over sounds which she expected to hear eventually.
Finally, my father has, in my view, AS (undiagnosed). As a child, I deeply resented him for how he treated me. Since concluding he has AS (which, based on my descriptions, was confirmed by my psychiatrist), I now, for the first time, feel close to him. (He is 88 years old.)
Cheers,
Mark
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - tenaciouscj - 09-30-2007 09:37 AM
Interesting - I now think several members of my family show or showed ASD traits (those who are now deceased, including my dad and one of his brothers). This goes through several generations.
Mum also said she had some "odd" relatives and that her mum (now deceased too) was very phobic of things such as phones and closed rooms but was fearless when it came to protecting her family from snakes that often came into the house and the outhouses at their farm.
I'm also very phobic of phones and gastric upsets but am not scared of spiders, frogs, mice, rats, and bugs. I wonder if girls are instinctively fearful of such creatures or if they are taught to be. When some girls bullied me at primary school, I picked up a green frog and they ran away screaming (even big girls who had bashed me up - wish I'd have thought of this idea in pre-school).
Some girls in my neighbourhood accused me of giving their pets the evil eye and making them die. This was when four Spanish families moved into a block of flats across the road from us for a year or so. One of the big girls tormented me and I threw sand into her eyes so I think that's where the evil eye stuff started. She kept saying I was going to get married in a dunny can and I took major exception to that because I thought it was really going to happen (darned Aspie literal thinking).
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - qfazeem - 10-19-2007 11:47 AM
17 people out of 54 in my family are Aspergers.
Qazi Fazli Azeem
Asperger Savant
fazliazeem.wordpress.com
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Meiloyn - 11-02-2007 01:37 AM
Batman55 Wrote:
Meiloyn Wrote:
From personal experience, I think the "severity" depends on how many children your child interacts with prior to school. I interacted with almost none, so those skills didn't exist until first grade.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
Really, I think it's both genetic and based on the way you grew up.
If you had interacted with more kids prior to first grade.. how do you think your AS would have manifested, Meiloyn?
I would still be Aspergian in nature, but at least I would appear a little less retarded. Apparently I still come across as a bit retarded even though I am a fully functioning intelligent 14 year old.
RE: How genetic is asperger's? - Batman55 - 11-02-2007 08:01 AM
Meiloyn, in what ways do you appear "retarded"?
This is not something I'm familiar with. The only labels I'm familiar with from my youth are "weird" or "quiet," really.