what's the deal with this?
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what's the deal with this?
| Tue, 11-14-2006 - 12:01pm |
I was reading in another post that parents who are "academic" tend to have more ASD kids as opposed to other people. Why does it matter if you are an engineer, physicist, or mathematician? WHat is the correlation? For me, DH is an engineer and I am a special ed teacher (with a masters plus). So, why does it seem that a lot of engineer or math related people have ASd kids? I don't get it.
Thanks.
You guys are great!
Sonya
Thanks.
You guys are great!
Sonya

The way I understand it (and this is coming from a Mathmatician married to a Mathmatician turned Physics PHD student)... we 'science types' just tend to be on the 'nearly Aspergers' end of the 'NT' spectrum to start with. We have volutarily chosen fields that allow us to play primarily with facts and figures and all kind of our favorite obsessive playgrounds *instead* of with people. It makes perfect sense that we are the types of people who may have ASD kids, because we are so often nearly ASD ourselves even if we aren't 'official'.
I mean... highly educated folks in other fields aren't being found to have more ASD kids, right? It's us freaky/nerdy/antisocial science types. Maybe it's cause I see myself as ASD... but to me it really seems to fit.
Kristy
Actually, the information I have read doesn't limit it to just "science and math types"- it includes, essentially, anybody with an above average IQ. The field of expertise is not really of consequence. The common opinion is that people with ASD's (especially the higher functioning individuals) tend to have above average IQ's, but lack social skills. Have you ever noticed that some extremely intelligent people aren't very social? Ever had a fabulous doctor with a horrifying bedside manner? Ever met someone with an "off the chart" IQ's who doesn't have a lick of common sense?
My not-so-scientific findings are that people with exceptionally high IQ's breed and when you combine two not-so-social brainiacs, you're more likely to get ASD offspring. Or the "when God was giving out brains he got in that line twice, but refused to wait in the people skills line" theory.
In other words, it's not the fact that these couples are educated, it's the fact that people with really high IQ's tend to BE highly educated.
There is a brilliant and complex theory that goes into the thought process that since we are a more mobile society, it's easier for intellectually equal people to meet- fall in love- have babies. In essence it says that ASD Dx's are on the rise because, thanks to planes, trains and automobile, people are more likely to move away from their "homeland" and pick a partner based on emotional factors rather than practical factors such as land ownership, dowry size, coming from a "good family".
I know I've done a horrible job explaining this, so perhaps Paula, Renee, and/or Candes can provide more information on this theory? (We've had this discussion several times over the years.)
Amy
DISCLAMIER:
I'm allowed to say this because my DH is exactly as I've described...extremely intelligent, off the chart IQ, lacking of common sense, and as anti-social as a hermit- he is an aspie through and through, we just haven't bothered to have him Dx'd.
p.s.-
I truly believe that intelligence is a risk factor. In the 5+ years that I've been weaving my way around the spectrum, I've NEVER met an ASD child who didn't have at least one parent that would be considered extremely intelligent. In most cases, both of the parents are exceptional. Take a look at the ladies on this board...especially those with multiple children on the spectrum. Many won't come out and admit it, but we've got more than our share of "off the chart" IQ's gracing us with their wit and wisdom.
HOWEVER...I am not saying that two intelligent people getting together "condemns" their offspring to ASD. I'm just saying that none of my "regular" friends have kids on the spectrum. (The CNA and mechanic don't. The drama coach and his secretary wife don't. The cop and her firefighter husband don't. The retail store manager and daycare provider don't. BUT the doctor and his physical therapist wife DO!)
Well the highschool drop out with a GED who became delivery driver and his wife the part time billing clerk do.....thats us......
Please Note~
I DIDN'T say that only educated people with high IQ's can have ASD children. And I also didn't say that uneducated people can't have high IQ's.
My father was a high school drop-out turned carpenter. No, I don't know his actual IQ score, but he was an absolute genius, regardless of his level of education. I, myself, do not have a college degree...and regardless of the "P.C. title" you stick on it, I'm an unemployed secretary. Two of our three children are on the spectrum. The more severely affected being our youngest daughter...yet again proving that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to autism, since research shows that boys are far more likely to be affected by ASD's than girls.