ASD Risk. Your opinions please

[baby.love]

Hiya girls

I would like some opinions please...

Ethan is autistic and we are now in the process with the panel to get the full diagnosis

Over the last month my OH & I have really got excited about having another baby and even planned to start TTC in Feb 2011. The thing is we now know that we are at a higher risk of having another child with ASD, when we had Sienna this never occured to us as we didnt know what we know now.
From what i have researched the risk is around 5%, which to us are quite good odds.
Now dont get me wrong i love my son with all my heart and wouldnt change him for the world, but i am worrying that if we had another child with ASD would it be a more severe form?! In all honesty i dont know how i would cope knowing i could of stopped it by not having another child

So basically what i'm asking is, if you knew the risks would you have another child, or have you gone onto have another child and do they have ASD also? I know its a personal question, sorry But i feel i should make an informed choice about this.

Thanks for reading

 

[mumto5]

i have a 4 year old that is going to panel for ASD and i am expecting another baby in September. We knew the risks but we chose to go ahead and try for another. With all my other children it has taken me at least 18months to fall pregnant but with this one i had my implanol out and within 2 months i was pregnant. That says to me its mean't to be for definite!!
Even if this one had ASD then you cope you got to haven't you?

 

[velvetina]

Hi hun.

I am sorry you have had to enter that world of dilemma and uncertainty but gather your strength and positive attitude and go for it.

My ds1 is now 14yrs and is autistic, we had ds2 when he was 10 and had dd born 6 months ago. Watching my 14 year old introduce himself to her when we came home reduced me to tears, he is wonderful with her.

I watched ds2 like a hawk with development and would have periods of highs and lows worrying. But we agreed that we dealt with it once before and now I was far more informed and if it happened again we were far better educated to seek help and intervention early.

DS2 is the chattiest, messiest, mischievious little minx going but have had him evaluated by the same specialist asd education psychologist who was involved with ds1. This was because he wasnt speaking much at nursery and socialising as much as other kids. The ed pysch told me its not uncommon to find siblings of asd children who display difficulties in some areas but do not fit asd criteria. ds2 has no behavioural issues, speech or language issues and imagination/development is really good with no autistic traits but struggles socially despite wanting to play with other kids and always talking about them.

I have always felt he could be socially aloof with others apart from us, and shared my concerns when he started nursery. But I have really enjoyed him, he brought so many things we missed out on with ds1.

I now accept again having a 3rd if she has issues so be it. She so nearly didnt make it when she was born, I am blessed she is here at all. It's a world that changes everthing that so many take for granted or just simply dont have to think about, but you know I believe our children come to us for a reason.

I do wish though that with them came a magical wand of patience for their parents. LOL!!!!!

Good luck hun and if there is anything else please ask. x x

 

[lozzy21]

All the people with autism i work with are the only ones in there familys with it. Some of them have 7/8 siblings.

 

[JASMAK]

I was told that if I have another child, he/she would have a1 in 500 chance of having ASD. I figured I only want ONE more, not 500, so my chances are pretty good I'd say. But, you know, if they don't know what causes ASD, I don't know how they can predict anything. I love my daughter to bits, and she has autism...so I am not going to spend my days worrying about my daughter on the way. I am sure I will be doing my obsessing when she arrives and making sure she meets all her milestones though!

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I was in the same situation. I was pregnant when my son was 13mths old and I didnt know about his autism then. I had my daughter when he was 22mths and he started preschool age 2 and was then diagnosed.

I wonder if I would have had another child but I know 100% that we did the right thing (even though we were NTNP with her lol) I think having them close in age was a good thing because they are like best friends and he has someone who understands him etc. My daughter does not have autism or any traits but seeing my son and my daughter play together melts my heart.

I dont want any more children but thats because I just am not broody lol not because of the autism risk. My son is an amazing child and has taught me soooo much. I dont think the risk of autism would put me off, more the fact we only have a 3bed and I dont want them to have to share x

 

[MUMOF5]

I have six children and Sonny is my only one with Autism, none of my others have any developmental delays at all. Obviously its too early to tell with Maddie yet, but im sure that she doesnt have it. xx

 

[baby.love]

Thanks to everyone who replied

We have sat and talked about it and we have decided to have another baby The risks are low and we really wanted another baby... We have come to the conclusion that if we have another baby with autism then we will deal with it in a positive manor as we have done with Ethan.

Thanks again xx

 

[mumto5]

awwww thats great news, good luck x

 

[JASMAK]

Yay congrats!!!

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

yey fantastic news and autistic children never fail to amaze you. Will will be fine whatever happens xxx