Having a family health history of ASD makes you more likely to have a child with ASD, or to have ASD yourself. If you have a child with ASD, you are more likely to have another child with ASD, especially if you have a daughter with ASD or more than one child with ASD.
This led researchers to investigate the extent to which genetics contribute to the development of autism. Numerous studies, including twin studies and family studies, have estimated the heritability of autism to be around 80-90%, indicating that genetic factors play a substantial role in its etiology.
A new study challenges the theory that autism is largely passed down from mothers. In fact, siblings who are both diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) seem to get a larger portion of their DNA from their father.
It is possible for one parent to pass down autism to their child, but it's not as simple as a single gene being responsible. Autism is believed to be caused by a complex interplay between many genes, and both genetic and environmental factors play a role in determining whether a child will develop the disorder.
While having autism can increase your likelihood of having a family member with autism, it doesn't necessarily mean your child will have autism. Essentially, having a family history as mentioned before, makes you more likely to have a child with ASD or to have ASD yourself.
ASD has a tendency to run in families, but the inheritance pattern is usually unknown. People with gene changes associated with ASD generally inherit an increased risk of developing the condition, rather than the condition itself.
There is not just one cause of ASD. There are many different factors that have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
A great deal of evidence supports the idea that genes are one of the main causes of or a major contributor to ASD. More than 100 genes on different chromosomes may be involved in causing ASD, to different degrees. Many people with autism have slight changes, called mutations, in many of these genes.
Autism Prevalence
Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Most children were still being diagnosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2.
In the United States, prenatal genetic testing (PGT) for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is currently available via clinical genetic services. Such testing may inform parents about their unborn child's risk for ASD, prepare parents for the birth of an affected infant, and allow them to arrange for early interventions.
But the question in our mind is whether is it detectable even during pregnancy. Recent studies have shown that autism can be detected during pregnancy as early as the second trimester.
Autism is a disability under the ADA. Some adults and children with autism can access Social Security benefits, including disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Rates of autism are highest in kids that are born to males over 50 years old. Genetic mutations in sperm rise as men become older, which might add to the risk. Although it's common for women to have children into their forties, they're also the most likely to produce an autistic child.
Autism Parents By Age
The same researchers found that the chance of developing ASD is 50 percent higher when the parents are in their 40s or 50s.
In the largest study of its kind, researchers have shown that the risk of autism increases for firstborn children and children of older parents. The risk of a firstborn with an autism spectrum disorder triples after a mother turns 35 and a father reaches 40.
If someone in your family has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you may be more likely to have a child with ASD. ASD can look very different from person to person, so taking a careful family health history can be important for early diagnosis.
Depression isn't the only mental health factor that can influence pregnancy outcomes. High levels of stress during pregnancy may also be connected to autism in children. This connection appears to have the most impact when the parent experiences stress between weeks 25 and 28 of pregnancy.
In conclusion, there are many factors that can make autism worse. Sensory overload, changes in routine, social isolation, co-occurring conditions, and lack of support can all exacerbate the symptoms of autism.
Key Autism Statistics & Facts
In 2023, the CDC reported that around 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. Autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000. The country with the highest rate of diagnosed autism in the world is Qatar, and the country with the lowest rate is France.
Genes and Autism
Certain genetic variants are linked to a higher chance of a child being somewhere on the spectrum. Also, it takes fewer variants to predispose a boy to developing autism than it does a girl.
ASD is 3.8 times as prevalent among boys (4.3%) as among girls (1.1%). ASD is reported to occur in all racial and ethnic groups.
While you can't prevent having a child with an autistic disorder, you can increase your odds of having a healthy baby by doing these lifestyle changes: Live healthy. Have regular check-ups, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise. Make sure you have good prenatal care, and take all recommended vitamins and supplements.
Genetic factors, environmental chemicals, certain drugs and vaccines, maternal factors, and environmental stress may all be legitimate causes. Many conditions can present alongside autism, and dealing with them can help ensure a proper autism diagnosis.
Reducing Risk of Autism During Pregnancy and Birth
19 They include: Having children after the age of 21 and before the age of 35 and choosing a male genetic parent in the same age range. Working with a healthcare provider to choose safer medications for specific issues, such as epilepsy or depression2.