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What are the chances of having an autistic child?

NAS62914

Finally getting around to thinking about having children. I have autism, diagnosed as an adult two years ago. What are the chances of me having a child with autism if my partner is neurotypical and what are the chances of that child having severe autism? Mine is mild Aspergers and I am a woman. Thanks.

  • Would recommend consulting a doctor about probability rates. It's not always easy to take care of an autistic child (as one might need to find ways to communicate with him/her, need to deal with meltdowns, or consider sensory sensitivities when going outside). But if you are prepared for all the possibilities and would love your child regardless of possible difficulties, then you might already have an answer on how to proceed. 

  • Congratulations of being at a life point to consider having children. There is nothing wrong with an autistic child except the ignorance of others which can hamper their confidence. 

    Who would not welcome a child with all the positive attributes that autism brings. The question is not whether you should deny yourself the opportunity and joy to have children but question WHY society makes it quite challenging for them to thrive...

    ...that, I believe is down to rigid thinking, inability to be open minded of others. In the current state of the world please produce lots of beautiful Aspie children who see the world differently x

    i am in my forties with a teenage son. I didn’t know I was autistic when I was pregnant and I’ve loved being a mum

    are we really that hard programmed to think autistic children are a problem? :( 

  • It is acknowledged that there is a likely genetic component to the condition. What that component is exactly is another question entirely. From my own experience: my father is autistic but undiagnosed. I'm autistic and my brother is ADHD and his daughter is autistic. Make of that what you will. My son has some of my traits but the difference is they are present along with a normally calibrated sense of empathy (within limits, he's a teenager) sympathy, love and affection. The genetics of the situation are not well enough understood to make any kind of statistical projection so I won't.

  • I'm not sure but my situation is my son was diagnosed with autism. Then much later I realised why we are so much alike and a gp mentioned potential autism. I'm pretty sure my husband also has autism too. We both come from an age where unless severe you slip under the radar