Published on 12, July, 2020
Good morning all
This is my first time posting. I am a mummy of a 13 year old boy who has just (3 days ago) been diagnosed with Aspergers. Although I have always known there was some kind of diagnosis there, I am in shock a bit and reeling from this. I have been reading up and there is a lot of stuff around stress during pregnancy being a potential cause. I was incredibly stressed during my pregnancy with my son. My mum had dementia and I was dealing with that, supporting my dad, and looking after another son. Basically during this period my mum was sectioned and put in to a mental home, broke her leg, and I found out my dad was having an affair. It was an awful time of prolonged stress and now I cant help blaming myself for my son. I am feeling very guilty and lost. I feel like I have been dropped in to a hole. I dont know how to best help him, or where to turn. Sorry my first post is such a negative one. Just feel a bit lost I guess.
You're not to blame for your son's Asperger's. I know they say stress during pregnancy gives rise to the baby going depressed or mentally sick in another way as well.
I was very depressed while pregnant and now have a 14 month old who shows zero signs of depression. Actually she is ridiculously happy.
She'll probably be diagnosed with ASD though, seeing me and her dad :-) And as @Graham says, that idea was proven wrong almost as soon as the 'cold mother' theory was invented.
Thank you for replying