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Would a parent who is autistic have a higher chance of having a child with autism?

TwinStudies_Autism_ASD_genes_DNAtesting_GeneticRisk_DevelopmentalDisability

35-40% of mothers who raise children with Autism reflect on the challenges their children face and relate to them as something they underwent in their childhood. This introduces the scope of self-diagnosis among parents to be individuals with Autism or Asperger’s. It is quite common for an Autistic individual to be successful and go onto become parents. However, parents who have Autism increase their chance of having a child with Autism as well.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this guide is for information purposes only. Please consult a qualified health practitioner for safe management.

Twins studies to understand the genetics of Autism

TwinStudies_Autism_ASD_genes_DNAtesting_Genetics_FamilyHistory_Consanguinity

In monozygotic twins (identical twins) both siblings have Autism (70%). In case of di-zygotic (non-identical) twins if one sibling has Autism then the chance of the other sibling having autism is 25-30%.  The speculation is role of an additional factor in utero that may have increased the risk of the di-zygotic twin from developing Autism. There is a floating theory that the increase in Testosterone levels may up the risk for Autism in utero. But it hasn’t been conclusively proven yet. We still have a lot to learn about the genetics of Autism from more widespread twin studies.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this guide is for information purposes only. Please consult a qualified health practitioner for safe management.

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