Q&A: If my child is autistic, what are the chances of my next child having the same problem?

by Dr. Karen Sadler

I have a three-year old son who was diagnosed with autistic-like behavior. What are the chances of having my second child suffer from the same problem?

We think we know a lot about autism, but as the parent of a child with autism, you know we haven't even scratched the surface. The increase in cases certainly seems to be more than what can merely be explained by better diagnosis. It's a complicated world, what with increased exposure to toxins, new medicines, and the like.

I do believe that genetics plays a role in some cases. Only a geneticist can give you the straight genetic odds in your unique situation, but I'd venture they're low.

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