Autism

[Baby1_2]

I have a question for all the mommys with kids on the spectrum and that are pregnant again.... What are doing different this pregnancy and are you scared to have another kid on the spectrum? That's one of my biggest fears  of having a kid, that you never know if they are going to have any health problems... I would love my child either way but I know  we as mothers would do anything to protect our kids from anything.... What better advise from such strong and brave mothers that are in that path .....

[mondaysgirl]

I believe it was down to shots with my son I'm a mum of three with one on the way and my middle child is on the spectrum, he developed fine hitting his targets until his final shot which he had a reaction to. There was no difference s with any of my pregnancy's at all or environmental as they've all been brought up the same. I do believe there are many different factors that are triggers for autism ie genetics. Good luck XX

[TMMB]

tamagojo, According to the pediatrician that diagnosed my son, they did case studies that suggest that the spike in cases of classic Autism is real. Maybe they are recognizing it more, sure, but there is an actual spike in cases of classic Autism,  so it is not just a shift in diagnostic criteria.

[tamagojo]

That's not to say that bringing up a child on the spectrum is not without many challenges, especially in today's society

[tamagojo]

I reckon that the spike in the incidence of autism is less due to environmental issues or medical issues and more to do with a greater understanding of the autism spectrum. Doctors could understand that 'Problem children' weren't that way because of the way they were brought up, but because of the way their brain works. So the diagnoses went up. People have lived and functioned with autism for thousands of years. In fact, sometimes it is an advantage.

[stacey33k]

I don't know if medicine played a part but I never took any kind of medicine when I was pregnant and study shows that mostly boys have it

[stacey33k]

I have a four year old son on the spectrum who was completely normal until he was hospitalized with pneumonia about a month or two after he was released he started walking on his tipped toes he didn't talk as much anymore and he became super sensitive to noise he would run and scream if he saw anyone with a stethoscope at around 18 months i spoke to his Dr and she said she was watching him until he turned two at two he was evaluated and he's been doing therapy and speech. Over the last month before his fourth birthday he just completely changed he seems more like a normal person less tantrums he never used to talk to strangers or play with other kids now he just started doing it now i understand what he is saying. I also have an 18 month old son I am watching but Ithink he's going to be okay i am 15 weeks pregnant now and I am not worried about it i have enough to worry about already.

[bonitagirl747]

I dont have any children yet and am due with our first in just a few months but this is something that has been a concern for me too. Im very careful as to what i take and so far ive only used benedryl and tums. Tylenol is being linked to autisim or more specifically any acetominophin and studies are showing the more frequent or higher doses are being linked. Im not sure how true this is but it goes to show you that things that were once safe may be harmful in the long run. I def think enviroment has something to do with increases of spectrum disorders over the last few decades.

[newbabyak]

I  don't have a child on the spectrum myself, but I'm an ABA therapist so my life has been immersed in the autism world for 10 years now. I see how wonderful the children are, but what a difficult road it is. I've seen and heard so many different stories; A super preemie, drug use before conception, prescription use during pregnancy, older father, allergic reaction, to actually watching home videos of a lil guy before and after his shots (also the 90s,). Every mother has a theory- and each one of them may be right. Or, maybe they're all wrong and it's caused by some unheard of factor. With both of these pregnancies I've stressed myself out over it, and what I've learned from all these mothers, and fathers too, is that in this instance you can't know what's going to happen. They have an early test for just about everything except that and it's extremely stressful these days to not know ahead of time. If it's how it turns out, I only hope I can be half the mother that some of them I've met are. In the meantime, do the best you can and there's no sense in worrying about what you can't change!

[TMMB]

Yep. You are right. What it boils down to is that  they are ununcertain of the cause, and because of that, it makes me wonder... Anyway,  thanks for sharing, and take care.

[Baby1_2]

My son had early signs of autism when he was around 18 months! I cried like I've never done it before, I worried sick about the diagnosis and his future.... He ended up having just a speech delay, and now at 3 1/2 year old he is a chatter box.... But I will never forget those horrible weeks when he was being evaluated... I have never felt pain like that.... I read so much about autism and now that I am pregnant again want to do everything I can to prevent it.... I do believe is environmental and ANYTHING counts from what shampoo you use to where you live....

[TMMB]

Take care, btw.

[TMMB]

Well it's been 15 yrs.  For me, but when I was pregnant w my first son, I took ssri anti depressants (Zoloft). I have decided to cut out ALL my head meds this pregnancy,  although my provider insists there's no correlation between ssris and Autism, although I find it interesting that ssris came out in the early 90s and the spike in Autism began about that time as well. Doctors are still not certain what catalyzed the spike, but the pediatrician that diagnosed our son said that they've determined that there IS a genetic component, but that something environmental has triggered the symptoms. What that trigger is, they are uncertain of. I don't want to take any chances, this time around,  which is why I'm being super mindful of all things I put in my body.