how to prevent autism in unborn child

My oldest son has autism and I'm pregnant. Is there anything I could do while pregnant to help prevent my unborn child to prevent autism.

[Richard B. Graff, PhD, BCBA-D]

There are no specific suggestions that I know of to reduce the risk of autism in a newborn. The best thing you can do for your unborn child is to follow the general guidelines that most experts suggest that women who are pregnant follow.  Your own doctor can probably provide a much more comprehensive list of do's and don'ts during pregnancy, but there are several things that come to mind pretty quickly.  Avoid smoking, alcohol, andd illegal drugs, and refrain from activities that might increase your odds of falling, such as skiing or snowboarding--and certainly refrain from engaging in any contact sports!.  In terms of food, you may want to avoid raw or unpasturized foods, and many experts suggest that women limit the amount of seafood that is eaten per week.  Hopefully you are already doing all of these things, but please talk to your doctor if you have more specific concerns or questions.

I wish you and your family the best of luck!!