Is Asperger's hereditary?

[Reedstorm17]

Also, I'm the middle child, although that doesn't exactly count because it's only by a minute.

 

[gregmcph]

As a general psychological trait, yeah, a bit.
My father was kind of shy and bookish and techy. He hated a crowd.

I can also see these traits in my daughters. One daughter can be loud and happy, and then hit a wall of serious social anxiety to be point of a tearful freakout. It's certainly in her blood. I am probably at the most extreme end, but it's there. It's part of our family tree.

 

[NeoPhile]

There is lots of evidence that ASD's are genetic. Most biologists agree with this. It's been shown that autistic spectrum people tend to have a mutated SHANK3 gene. Shank3 is the gene that deals with making connections in the brain. It appears that there is more than that; we just don't understand it, but it does appear to be genetic. It just doesn't seem as black and white as other disorders. For instance, Downs Syndrome occurs when someone has an extra copy of chromosome 21. If you have an extra chromosome 21, then you have Downs Syndrome. If you do not have an extra chromosome 21, then you do not have Downs Syndrome. It doesn't seem to be that black and white with ASD's and Shank3.
As far as having kids later in life leading to autism, there actually is some good evidence to that effect. It's been shown that the older a man is, the more likely he is to father kids with genetic mutations, including the mutations that cause ASD's. That's because of the way sperm is copied. Sperm copies itself every so often, and in an older man, the sperm is copies of copies of copies. That means it's more likely that there will be genetic mutations. However, it was shown that the age of the woman held no bearing as far as gene mutations go. So the age of your mother made no difference, but the age of your father did.

 

[Bellatrix]

Strangely enough, no one else in my immediate family (i.e. father, mother, sister, two brothers) had, or have, it. Only me.

 

[Blast off]

In my family AS (Autism Spectrum)runs thick, many of my cousins, aunts, and uncles, have aspergers, I do as well, my son is LFA . (low functioning autistic). Science can say whatever it will, but to me, from experience, it seems to be an inherited trait, as well as a natural occurring phenomenon. This being said any AS can be either a blessing or a curse, it just depends on how you yourself feel about it as well as living conditions, and other outside influences.

 

[Clintos]

I am quite sure that it could be hereditary and so far as components and traits go there is likely a bit of autism in everyone.

Agreed, I feel sometimes it is like cancer just waiting for the right environment to grow. For me I got it from my Father and my daughter may have it as well imo.

 

[Reedstorm17]

No one in my family has it that I know of.

 

[Mary Terry]

There is lots of evidence that ASD's are genetic. Most biologists agree with this. It's been shown that autistic spectrum people tend to have a mutated SHANK3 gene. Shank3 is the gene that deals with making connections in the brain. It appears that there is more than that; we just don't understand it, but it does appear to be genetic. It just doesn't seem as black and white as other disorders. For instance, Downs Syndrome occurs when someone has an extra copy of chromosome 21. If you have an extra chromosome 21, then you have Downs Syndrome. If you do not have an extra chromosome 21, then you do not have Downs Syndrome. It doesn't seem to be that black and white with ASD's and Shank3.
As far as having kids later in life leading to autism, there actually is some good evidence to that effect. It's been shown that the older a man is, the more likely he is to father kids with genetic mutations, including the mutations that cause ASD's. That's because of the way sperm is copied. Sperm copies itself every so often, and in an older man, the sperm is copies of copies of copies. That means it's more likely that there will be genetic mutations. However, it was shown that the age of the woman held no bearing as far as gene mutations go. So the age of your mother made no difference, but the age of your father did.

I recently saw an article about the role that lack of vitamin D during pregnancy may play in autism. Vitamin D is essential to proper neurological development of a fetus. It's an interesting parallel to studies that show that lack of Vitamin B, and folic acid in particular, during pregnancy causes neural tube defects such as spinal bifida in fetuses. So, if autism is genetic but some unknown "environmental factor" during pregnancy is a trigger for autism, then insufficient vitamin D may be the cause.

 

[NeoPhile]

I recently saw an article about the role that lack of vitamin D during pregnancy may play in autism. Vitamin D is essential to proper neurological development of a fetus. It's an interesting parallel to studies that show that lack of Vitamin B, and folic acid in particular, during pregnancy causes neural tube defects such as spinal bifida in fetuses. So, if autism is genetic but some unknown "environmental factor" during pregnancy is a trigger for autism, then insufficient vitamin D may be the cause.

People in history have said the same things about vaccines, "Refrigerator mothers", diet soda, and just about everything. Seriously, what doesn't cause autism to some "Experts"?
Most biologists agree that autism is 100% genetic. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[On the Inside]

I tend to look at the "causes" approach with high skepticism. Similar traits run from my grandfather through my mom, an uncle or two, a cousin, at least one of my sisters and me.

Then there is the bi-polar, alcoholic, reactionary faction on my dad's side.

Hereditary and family environment gets my vote.

 

[OkRad]

Dad, uncle and aunt all have it. Also a child in the family. But I am just a psychopath, so I guess it skipped me.

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

Dad, uncle and aunt all have it. Also a child in the family. But I am just a psychopath, so I guess it skipped me.

Only funny as I read so e of your other posts about the stupid situation you've been put in lately

 

[OkRad]

Only funny as I read so e of your other posts about the stupid situation you've been put in lately

You made me laugh, Fridge. Yeah, it sucks. But my family is helping me. My mom and dad are going with me to ANOTHER specialist. This time they are coming so they can tell it like it is. They should not even have to . They are in their 80's , dear souls.

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

You made me laugh, Fridge. Yeah, it sucks. But my family is helping me. My mom and dad are going with me to ANOTHER specialist. This time they are coming so they can tell it like it is. They should not even have to . They are in their 80's , dear souls.

Was worried for a second..
Thought I'd added you to the 'accidentally offended' list

The funny thing is, if someone read your post literally and then I rated it funny...
(Now someone else)

I'm a monster

 

[Gayda Collins]

I know of a child who was diagnosed by age 2-and-a-half. It's good they're being identified early for early intervention. I've read AS is mainly inherited through the paternal line. I haven't confirmed this, but, based on my experience, I'd believe it. I've also read that a high percentage -- perhaps 60 to 80% -- of aspies had some form of oxygen deprivation somewhere along the line.

 

[Reedstorm17]

Wait a minute. My sister and I had to be born early because I couldn't breathe...

 

[Annabel Lee]

I do think it is genetic, having worked with children and their families through autism speaks events for years. One of my brothers has Asperger's Syndrome with all of the hallmarks, the other one has high-functioning autism with an auditory processing disorder. I will be evaluated soon. My mom was under thirty when she had all of us.

 

[wfs]

Read or listen to the book: NEUROTRIBES. it is an incredible review of the history of identification and "treatment" of Aspies in Europe and America from about 1925 to present. It is a wonderful piece of research by a science journalist connected to "Wired" magazine.

 

[Mr Allen]

There's no other history of AS in my immediate Family, apart from a distant Cousin on Mum's side who's Schizophrenic, and Dad's late Uncle Les, who had all the symptoms of being Aspie, couldn't look after himself, had no social skills, hated the world and everyone in it.

 

[Phanelope]

Just going to revive an old thread. I haven’t been diagnosed yet but I strongly suspect I am on the spectrum. I was on a forum on Facebook today and someone was saying ASD women are often misdiagnosed with bipolar, BPD and anxiety and depression. I thought my mum was bipolar as she was very erratic and had extreme emotions but she was never diagnosed. My grandmother was also very erratic and has now chosen to live alone in a different country from the rest of her family. Both of my aunts are extremely socially awkward, but I remember my uncle being quite friendly. 3/4 of one aunt’s children and all of my other aunt’s children are also extremely socially awkward.

of aunt no 1, the more socially adept son has 1/11 children officially diagnosed with autism. BOth the more awkward sisters have 1/1 child each officially diagnosed with autism. And the awkward son has 0/1 children diagnosed.

Of aunt 2, daughter 1 was adopted out so not sure. Son 1 has 1/2 children offically diagnosed and son 2 has 1/4 children diagnosed. Other son has no children and other son doesn’t keep in contact with anyone so we have no idea.

I Don’t know anything about my fathers side.