The cause of Asperger syndrome, like most ASDs, is not fully understood, but there is a strong genetic basis, which means it does tend to run in families.
Research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father, despite some research showing it's passed down from the mother.
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.
No one thing causes Asperger's syndrome. However, research suggests that certain factors during pregnancy and after birth may put a child at higher risk of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Those factors include: A chromosomal abnormality (such as fragile X syndrome).
Does The Father Or Mother Carry The Autism Gene? Autism was always thought to have a maternal inheritance component, however, research suggests that the rarer variants associated with the disorder are usually inherited from the father.
Can autism skip a generation? Yes, it's possible for autism to skip a generation. This is because the genes that contribute to autism can be passed down from grandparents to grandchildren, even if the parents do not have the condition.
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.
The Likely Answer: There's No Single Cause
While the exact cause of Asperger's isn't known, many experts believe the disorder is probably triggered by a variety of factors. A combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental issues might work together to cause the syndrome.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
When autism (or Aspergers) runs in families it is clear that they are at least partially inherited from the parents and/or the extended family. The parents or other family members may not necessarily have a diagnosis, but are carriers of genetic anomalies which in combination may cause autism in their offspring.
Unlike more classically autistic children, who may be described as “aloof” or “passive” in their social interactions, children with Asperger's tend to be “active but odd.”1 Not content to be alone all the time, they long to form friendships (as they understand them) with others.
For an individual, the risk of autism is increased 10 fold if a full sibling has the diagnosis and about 2 fold if a cousin has the diagnosis. These findings may inform counseling families with affected children.
When it comes to siblings, the research is clear: When one child is diagnosed with ASD, the next child to come along has about a 20% greater chance of developing ASD than a child with neurotypical older siblings. And when the first two children in a family receive that diagnosis, the chances go up to 32%.
Inheritance. 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.
According to a study published in Molecular Autism, children born to mothers with autism have a 5.4% chance of also being diagnosed with the disorder, while children born to fathers with autism have only a 1.5% chance.
While the term Asperger's Syndrome no longer formally exists in the diagnosis and insurance world, it is still a common term used to refer to an individual with high-functioning autism.
The incidence of AS is not well established, but experts in population studies conservatively estimate that two to six out of every 1,000 children have the disorder. Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have AS. Asperger Syndrome affects about 1 in 200 people, more commonly in men than women.
Even so, lots of people still use the term Asperger's. The condition is what doctors call a "high-functioning" type of ASD. This means the symptoms are less severe than other kinds of autism spectrum disorders.
Some of the effects of unaddressed or untreated Asperger's syndrome may include: Social isolation. Difficulty making and keeping friends. Challenges in finding and maintaining steady employment.
The life expectancy for Level 2 ASD ranges from 50-60 years old. This is slightly lower than Level 1 and the national average. In some studies, the life expectancy is even lower.
Signs and symptoms of Asperger's syndrome
People with mild autism tend to have difficulty with social interactions. This can show itself as difficulty understanding others' feelings, expressing your own feelings, understanding gestures, and making eye contact.
Advances in diagnostic capabilities and greater understanding and awareness of autism spectrum disorder seem to be largely driving the increase, the Rutgers researchers said. But there's probably more to the story: Genetic factors, and perhaps some environmental ones, too, might also be contributing to the trend.