Hi, i posted this in first tri earlier, but they suggested you might be able to help me

this is a bit of a complicated one, but i wanted an outsiders view before i ask the MW on thurs & risk upsetting my fiance. If anyone has experienced this i would be VERY GRATEFUL to talk to you!

When OH was younger, he had *very* mild autism, highlighted by his severe ADHD (full meds & special schooled - still terribly behaved!) and Aspergers Syndrome (its like *severe* obsessive compulsive disorder, coupled with autistic traits & the inability to cope with change - even a traffic diversion would set him off!!! along with bad behaviour, which is what caused/highlighted the ADHD)

my question is, (aside from the autism) are any of these traits passed on from father to baby? i know autism can be carried through families, but his (we think) was mis-diagnosed by a doctor who knew little of Aspergers syndrome (always very closely linked with Autism), or simply a by-product of Aspergers - can this be carried over?

If there is somewhere better to post this in the forum, let me know, but i want to know the basics before i speak to MW -

the internet is very sketchy surrounding things like Aspergers & ADHD - a lot of people still just call them "naughty children" !! and my new-found dislike for googles scare-mongering tactics leaves me no option but to post!!

Thanks everyone

Autism and Aspergers are the same thing, just a different age of onset(autism is from birth and AS is from 5,6,7 something like that) The traits ARE the conditions, there is no other medical test so diagnoses are based on the symptoms displayed. I think there are definate genetic links with all these disorders inc ADHD. I have 2 children diagnosed with autism, one undiagnosed with autism and one with ADD, I believe my OH has AS and there are also people in my family who seem to have autism of some sort, so thats why I think its genetic, I know lots of people who think its random though.

Autism and Asperger are in principle the same, they are on the scale what is now called 'autism spectrum disorder'
Have also heard that it is hereditary, but I don't know the chances though.

My nephew has Aspergers, less of an issue now, he is 20 and studying law at uni. Think there is an Aspergers society. Not sure its hereditary as such more a familial tendency.

Hi hun.

My son is on autistic spectrum and one of my best friend's son has Aspergers. They are part of same spectrum, and while aspergers was once thought to be very high functioning autism, it is now recognised that is not quite the case. While they can exhibit very much of the same traits or impairments on the triad (social, communication, imagination), aspergers is a diagnosis in itself which you can see when you know people on both. You do often find in both parents or relatives who are on the spectrum. In my friend's case her partner has suspected asperger and I myself think my friend is slightly on the autistic spectrum herself. Her son was diagnosed at 4, actually earlier than my son who was far less able.

An excellent book to read is by Tony Attwood, that will give you a real insight into aspergers and I can guarantee by the end of reading it you will have insight into whether you think oh is affected.

Saying all that my lovely, please try and stay calm, I know that is easy to say. But having one autistic child, and watching my 2nd like a hawk to the point of not enjoying him grow because I was so worried all the time (and here I am doing it again).
This does not mean that your child is going to be affected even if oh is on the spectrum.

The spectrum has of yet no genetic tests but there are many diagnosing tools for professionals and parents. It is a huge field and I have been reading about it for 11 years now, it is vast and seem very overwhelming, and there are a lot of misconceptions about it as well. The national autistic society website covers it all and would be a good place to get some impartial and clear advice, with just facts and correct information. They also have a helpline.

I know what you mean about the naughty children label, and I have been particularly firm with eldest with behaviour and manners and it has paid off. It was hard because he didn't understand and did do things because of his autism, but if anything boundaries and discipline are even more important if harder to parent because the challenges are so much greater.

Take care . x

Hi, autsim and aspergers are on the same sprectrum. I am not sure about genetics but all the males in my family under 15 have asd. x

ASD,Aspergers are one of the same but lots of children have ADD or ADHD with it .I have a son originally diagnosed with adhd then changed to aspergers.Have read some really good books the best being written by Tony Attwood and another by Maxine Aston.,not only do they help with the affected child but those possibly affected, it certainly has made me look at my OH in a different life and in many ways has made me more tolerant. Maxine has written one for couples!!! The more you read the easier it is to understand. Look after yourself,it takes alot of patience and our darlings need us.

I can agreethat thebooks by Attwood are really good

My son has Aspergers and his father(not my DH) does as well. I honestly think some things are passed on through genetics, but not always. In my sons case, he is extremely high functioning, although not all with Aspergers are.

I agree that books by Tony Attwood are absolutely amazing. Go to your local bookstore and just take a look through one of them and you find more information than you could ever find on the internet.

My son is 6 and still gets very easily upset if his routine is changed in the least and does have the OCD tendencies still, but not as bad as a few years ago.

My daughter has PDD-NOS which is one of the five on the ASD scale. For PDD-NOS they do not know what causes it. My husband is adopted so we do not know his background at all. I have a son who is fine. I was told 1 in 500 chance for this pregnancy.