Expert: Michelle Fattig - 9/16/2008

Question
My husbands has no signs of being autistic but his younger brother had sever autism. I'm just wondering if its possible that my daughter can develop it? Shes 2 months old and is on track with her developmental skills for her age, she can grab things, "talks" a lot, and pays attention/is very alert to everything.

Also, I did some research on the vaccines that are given to infants and them developing autism, they recommend not getting my child vaccinated until she is 2 years of age is there a higher risk that she can develop it one, because of her uncle and two, because its true what they have found? (that there is a link between autism and the vaccines)

I look forward to your respond. Thank you for your time!

Answer
Studies show that autism spectrum disorders are of a genentic influence.  If you are worried, you and your husband can each take a series of 4 tests at:  http://www.glennrowe.net/BaronCohen/MaleFemale.asp

Your scores can be used to determine if you or your husband demontrate the broader autism phenotype, which is commonly found in the parents of children with autism spectrum disorders.  If one parent has the characteristics, the child is 40-60% more likely to have the disorder than a neurotypical child.  If both parents demonstrate the characteristics, the child has an 80% or greater likelihood in comparison to neurotypical children.  Because autism spectrum is such a large group of people, many adults with the disorder are unaware or unaffected, typically in professions such as engineering, science, physicians, and other.  Some of the BAP characteristics include intellectual prowess (brainiacs), anxiety, family history of alcoholism or depression, multiple job changes or relationships, highly organized or disorganized, few meaningful friendships, "Type A" personality, and other.  If you or your husband (or both) are found to be in the mix according to your scores, research indicates that infants between the ages of 4-7 months can be 'screened' utilizing the Tilt Test.  Holding the baby upright under the arms, tilt the child slowly at a 45 degree angle, first to one side then the other.  If the child struggles to maintain his head position in line with his body rather than vertically to the floor, he or she may be on the spectrum.  Also, a characteristic called "moebius mouth" can be visible from birth.  This does not diagnose autism, but it can be a characteristic used in the diagnostic process.  Information about moebius mouth can be found at:

http://www.autismcoach.com/Early_Autism_Diagnosis.htm

Also, a sensory checklist can be found at:

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist...