family gene

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2006
family gene
2
Sun, 02-03-2008 - 7:17pm

son was not dxed until he was about 8 yrs old. my sister's son is being looked at age 2 because of some is actions. my brother's son (6) just had a seizure and drs mentioned autism as reason.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
In reply to: decson
Sun, 02-03-2008 - 7:33pm

My nephew was dx'd with PDD-NOS when he was around 4yrs old.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: decson
Sun, 02-03-2008 - 9:11pm

Some of both I think.

Of my 4 I have 2 kiddo's of my own with ASD, another one who likes to flirt with the edges of the spectrum and has some similar issues and was at one point dx'ed PDD-NOS. A nephew on my DH's side is autistic. There are other nephews on that side with social issues but no dx (none needed really, just issues and some of it parenting). There is a lot of ADHD type stuff in those nephews as well as some speech delays. On my side I have a nephew with learning disabilities who has/had social difficulties in school. I also had an aunt (deceased now) who was diagnosed mild MR but was likely autistic.

So there is definitely a genetic thread here, HOWEVER, I think some of it is over diagnosing and looking too.

Take my Dave for instance. Yes he has some traits for sure but he is able to function in school with just accommodations. He is extremely socially outgoing and actually has pretty darn good theory of Mind. However, he has a polar bear obsession that is very AS ish with a money obsession close 2nd (favorite toys are a cash box and ATM machine. He will only read factual books and only about Polar Bears), he has always had very limited play skills but what he does play he plays well, he is EXTREMELY rigid (for years would flip out if he didn't have a blue cup). In other words, I could easily get him diagnosed if I wanted to but I don't. He functions very well. We just understand him as being Dave and the way Dave brain works. He does not need supports in school. he does not need additional accommodations outside school to participate in activities. Until he does I don't see a reason to diagnose. I think we let kids be kids sometimes.

So I guess my point is that if not for what I know about autism I wouldn't even consider Dave as even possibly on the spectrum but I also believe that his genetics are what cause some of his quirks.

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