Is autism genetic? My view.

 

Yes, that is me when I first started secondary school back in the early 80s. Oh my. 

So, I know there has been some debate whether autism is genetic and runs in families. My view? Yes, it is and does. I know of lots of adults who are autistic and have autistic children. I know of adults who were diagnosed after their children were diagnosed with autism; the most known one in recent years being Christine McGuiness. I have Asperger's (yes, I know that's not on the spectrum anymore but it was what I was diagnosed with and I keep that), so did I get autism from a family member? The answer is - I believe from my dad. My dad died in 2019 but it was never mentioned to him and we didn't know. He had other major health issues to contend with over the years he lived but there were clues there that he was autistic. It was only when I was diagnosed in 2011 and was asked by the psychologists if I had a family member who also had Asperger's that we said my dad. 

So what clues were there that he was autistic? Well, the two that come to mind are calling out across the room to others, and he didn't keep eye contact with my mum when she spoke to him (this was when he was in hospital one time). Those are the two things that came to mind when we were asked.

So, do you believe that autism is genetic? Let me know.