Autism and genetic- the missing link One of the most probable causes of autism is linked to genetics, the gene combination of

the foetus must be studied, if possible.

Patients with Autism spectrum disorder or those individuals with a combination of

certain autism symptoms, such as congenital rubella syndrome, the Fragile X syndrome,

tuberous sclerosis, etc. are suffering at multiple levels. The onset of autism is itself a

daunting and painful experience for both parent and child. If identified at the earliest,

autism can be cured to a large extent. While the causes of autism are difficult to

pinpoint, genetics, environment factors and stress during pregnancy are the most

probable causes.

The fact that only a few patients get hit with this disorder, the involvement of genetic

composition of the unborn child plays a big role. DNA sequencing and the successive

steps that follow, if not happened in the course of time, might lead to complications

resulting in autism. A deletion in a DNA code or an over-duplication of a particular code

may result in a weird defect. Your child may not talk or interact at all. Statistics show

that there is at least 1 child suffering from autism spectrum disorder for 166 other

healthy babies.

Autism and genetics do have a scary relationship. For parents trying to have another

baby, will the haunts of a first autistic child translate into further autistic off-springs? Is

autism relevant in cases of twins? Autistic father or mother can affect the birth of the

child? A slight deviation in the genetic make-up of a child can change his/ her future.

Well, this goes beyond the autism in father or mother scenario. Perfectly normal couples

with a certain change in lifestyle or food habits might not have the perfect genetic match

in their child.

Some noteworthy pointers to bridge the link between autism and genetics-

1. With the birth of your first child autistic, there is only 2-6% chances that your second one will also suffer from the similar instance. It’s not just a single gene that is responsible, it is more complicated than that.

2. But if two of your children born are autistic, then the chances of your genetic match will be less and your third child will have 35% risk of being born autistic. Adoption could be your choice of a third baby. Check your options with a specialist.

3. The genetic makeup of autistic forefathers is not convincing enough. While the older generations lived a lifestyle free from autism, few years later, their children’s children have a million in one chances of being born autistic. Autism in children is more than just hereditary, environmental factors play a vital role too.

4. CGH array study helps scientists analyse DNA missing chunks and analyse vast DNA data from millions of parents and their kids.

5. DNA changes between the families cannot be a sure indicator. Within a family with one autistic child, the parents could have had the changed gene structure in comparison to their ancestors’, which would be difficult job for the scientists to identify.