Genetic counseling/primary family member with Asperger Syndrome?


Question:
My fiance and I both have brothers with Asperger Syndrome. I know no one's quite clear on what causes it, but because we both have a primary family member with it, should we seek out genetic counseling if we plan to have children? Is there anything a counselor could even do for us?

Answers:
Its hereditary, but I know of no genetic test for it yet. Since its on both sides, the odds are much greater, but not 100%. In your husbands case, he is either a carrier or clean. From your description, he does not have any expressive genes. In your case, your X chromosome is a wild card. You could have full blown autism, but the extra information on your X chromosome makes it unexpressive. If you have a girl, the X chromosome will protect her as well. If a boy, he is at risk.

If you want children, its better to have them sooner than later. For whatever reason, the odds of having autistic children increases with the age of the father. The risk of having downs syndrome babies increases with the age of the mother.

You should also know that aspergers is a type of autism. If your child has autism, there is no guarantee that it will be aspergers. It could be low functioning autism.

If you have a girl, the odds are better because of the X chromosome, but girls can also have autism, its just a lot more rare than boys.

So if you and the father are under 30, go for it. Stop having them if one is autistic.
You know it is possible for you to have a child with Aspergers. You know it. What you need to decide is do you think you can love a child with Aspergers? Do you love your brothers?
I love my son and I wouldn't have him any other way. Sure sometimes he is difficult to deal with. But he has a sweetness to him that is unsurpassed. Don't waste your money paying someone to make your mind up for you. Only you know what you want.
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