PRE-NATAL TESTING FOR AUTISM

[Sally44]

On the news recently (in the UK) it has said that they are closer to having a pre-natal test to diagnose autism, and that they are also close to achieving hormone treatment for the foetus prior to birth so that the brain is less masculine.  I think it is widely agreed that high levels of the male hormone during pregnancy can give a greater inclination towards autism.  They also had an autism professional who stated that this test may also extinguish the lives of many gifted mathematicians as male hormones/male brain/mathematical genius/autism seems to be linked.  
Personally I would be very uncomfortable with a test now that I have a son with autism.  If that test had been offered to me and proved positive that would have put me in an awful dilema, and I wouldn't have had the information and experience of autism that I have now.  I would have been ignorant and scared.  
And there is also the question of births being terminated that could be extinguishing certain genes that lead to mathematical genius.
Plus there is the question of hormone treatment.  Changing my son's brain, would effectively change him into a different person.  For some parents with severely autistic children that option may have been a blessing.
Just thought I'd throw out this information for discussion.

[spectrumlady]

They keep batting at this one and so far all genetic testing and millions of dollars are not conclusive...so I suspect you shall not have an option..There is not a test for ASD only subjective observation.

[ddaniell]

I agree.  I am glad I never had a choice about my son because my fear may have won over my humanity.  My son is such a blessing to me that I am eternally greatful that he is who God created him to be.  He has made me a better human being.

Thanks for your message line, I think most mother's feel the way that we do.

Dawn