s/o causes of autism: was your pregnancy with your autistic child closely spaced to your first?

[Anonymous]

I am newly pregnant only eight months post partum, and see that close pregnancies are a major risk factor for autism. Has anyone experienced this? I am, obviously, freaking out, but also interested, as it isn't really something I've heard of before.

[Anonymous]

At this moment in time, no one knows what causes or contributes to autism. Research has identified some likely contributing factors, but the mechanism is not known. Take a deep breath.

There are two cases of ASD in my family. In both cases, they were not closely spaced to another pregnancy. In one, the older child was 8 years older. In the other, the child was the first born.

Thousands and thousands of "Irish twins" are born with no problems. It increases your risk very slightly. Breathe. Your baby is probably fine.

[Anonymous]

Ridiculous. My kids were three months apart. I know several families with kids less than two and none with autism.

By the way, OP, please take a deep breath before you make posts like this. Because what you are saying is "please please reassure me that I'm not you," which is kind of insulting to those of us who are "you."

[Anonymous]

I meant three years apart. Obviously they couldn't be three months apart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous. My kids were three months apart. I know several families with kids less than two and none with autism.

By the way, OP, please take a deep breath before you make posts like this. Because what you are saying is "please please reassure me that I'm not you," which is kind of insulting to those of us who are "you."

I'm so sorry - I seriously had no intention all at asking for reassurance that I was not like the parents with autistic children. I was just wondering if anyone had even observed it as a trend. I actually have many friends and family members with autistic children, so I feel that I have been exposed to various examples/heard them bat around various theories about the causes in their particular situations, and I have not observed this one. I was more worried about the genetic factor -- and still am -- until someone mentioned I should be concerned about this, also. Please, no offense meant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous. My kids were three months apart. I know several families with kids less than two and none with autism.

By the way, OP, please take a deep breath before you make posts like this. Because what you are saying is "please please reassure me that I'm not you," which is kind of insulting to those of us who are "you."

Hallelujah.

So tired of reassuring people that their children probably don't have cerebral palsy...because that would be such a tragedy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous. My kids were three months apart. I know several families with kids less than two and none with autism.

By the way, OP, please take a deep breath before you make posts like this. Because what you are saying is "please please reassure me that I'm not you," which is kind of insulting to those of us who are "you."

Hallelujah.

So tired of reassuring people that their children probably don't have cerebral palsy...because that would be such a tragedy?

OP here -- I concede, it was a jerky move. I had my baby early and I can't stand it when friends ask for reassurance that they, too, will not have a preemie. So, I get it, I was wrong, and I'm sorry.

[Anonymous]

I think I just read that autism is more common in first-borns actually. Or no? But I agree - "they" don't know. FWIW, my brother and are are 11 months apart and my kids are 15 months apart and none of us are autistic. I'm sure there will be many people who can post on here that they either do or do not fall into these categories, but it won't make you feel better, OP. They don't know what causes it. Best to do your best and take things as they come. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous. My kids were three months apart. I know several families with kids less than two and none with autism.

By the way, OP, please take a deep breath before you make posts like this. Because what you are saying is "please please reassure me that I'm not you," which is kind of insulting to those of us who are "you."

Hallelujah.

So tired of reassuring people that their children probably don't have cerebral palsy...because that would be such a tragedy?

OP here -- I concede, it was a jerky move. I had my baby early and I can't stand it when friends ask for reassurance that they, too, will not have a preemie. So, I get it, I was wrong, and I'm sorry.

You are forgiven. 8)

[Anonymous]

I have two DDs, my oldest has ASD, the youngest does not. They are 17 months apart (my oldest was 9 months old when I got pregnant with my second). You're right that recent studies have shown some increased risk of ASD for younger sibs born close in age to the first, but the odds overall are that you have little to be concerned about. Relax and enjoy your pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous. My kids were three months apart. I know several families with kids less than two and none with autism.

By the way, OP, please take a deep breath before you make posts like this. Because what you are saying is "please please reassure me that I'm not you," which is kind of insulting to those of us who are "you."

Hallelujah.

So tired of reassuring people that their children probably don't have cerebral palsy...because that would be such a tragedy?

OP here -- I concede, it was a jerky move. I had my baby early and I can't stand it when friends ask for reassurance that they, too, will not have a preemie. So, I get it, I was wrong, and I'm sorry.

OP, it's okay. People worry. I would not have volunteered to have a kid with HFA, but I love my funny duck, even if he wasn't what I asked for. You can't always get what you want... but sometimes you get what you need.

[Anonymous]

It as my first baby and I was in my 20s. So really random.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous. My kids were three months apart. I know several families with kids less than two and none with autism.

By the way, OP, please take a deep breath before you make posts like this. Because what you are saying is "please please reassure me that I'm not you," which is kind of insulting to those of us who are "you."

I'm so sorry - I seriously had no intention all at asking for reassurance that I was not like the parents with autistic children. I was just wondering if anyone had even observed it as a trend. I actually have many friends and family members with autistic children, so I feel that I have been exposed to various examples/heard them bat around various theories about the causes in their particular situations, and I have not observed this one. I was more worried about the genetic factor -- and still am -- until someone mentioned I should be concerned about this, also. Please, no offense meant.

You have lovely friends. "While you are worrying about X, you should really worry about Y." You need to avoid such people.

[Anonymous]

First and only child has ASD.

[Anonymous]

As others have said, I would not stress about it. There are many factors, and there's just really no way to know. Just keep yourself healthy and take your vitamins, and do everything you normally would be make sure you have a good pregnancy. (As a side note -- not to worry you about something else -- but I think I've heard that there is a greater change of having a preemie with close pregnancies. Since you had your first early, this is probably something to talk about with your doctor -- just ways to redue the risk. But again, all you can do with any pregnancy is be healthy and do the best you can.) Good luck, and enjoy your pregnancy!