Hi, everyone! I’ve been doing a lot of research lately regarding autism as I suspect that my husband might be in the spectrum. His nephew (the son of his sister) is severely autistic. Not sure if this is the right term (I don’t intend to offend anyone). He is 9 and can speak just a few words, screams all the time, is constantly hand steaming, eats just certain foods, doesn’t sleep much (never has had even as a baby). From what I’ve been reading autism is genetic and I’ve started to question if it runs in their family. I find the mother of the child I just described “different”. I can’t really pinpoint what’s wrong. From what I’ve been told she started school later that her friends of the same age as she couldn’t pronounce the words properly. I’ve noticed that she still struggles with long words. My husband on the other hand hasn’t spoken until 3 years and a half. He suffers from epilepsy (I’ve read that there is a connection between it and autism). He always chews gum (he even sleeps with a chewing gum in his mouth). The only time he doesn’t have one in his mouth is when eating. Same thing with the chewing gum happens with his father. I’ve asked my husband why does he feel the need to do so, and he said it’s a fixation. He’s 34 and have been doing it since in his 20s. I would appreciate anyone who’ll take the time to read this and reply. Thank you in advance!
