Expert: James Michael Roan - 8/1/2007

Question
Hi, I hope you can help me. My partner and I would like to start a family together. However, he has already fathered a child with a previous partner and their child was diagnosed at 3yrs old with severe autism.
What is the likelyhood of our child having autism? Are there any tests my partner or myself should/could have? My partner does not have access to his family history and so he doesn't know if there are any other family members with autism.I would really appreciate any thoughts you could provide me. Thanks

Answer
Hi;

Here we go:

1. The rate of a 2nd child having autism born to the same parents is 6-7 percent, which is not your case.

2. The rate of a 2nd child having autism born to a union from one parent who fathered a child with autism and one who has not is 1 percent, which is your case.

3. And for perspective, the chance for two parents of having autism in general is 1 in 150 or .66 percent.

You and your husband are only at a slightly higher risk. Be attentive to the early signs of a risk for autism. These are:

1. By 7-8 months a child should respond 3 out of 4 times to their name being called; have good eye contact; and, have social smiles.

2. By 12 months joint attention between you and your child and an object or activity should be occurring. Your child at this age should also be point to objects of interest in an attempt to share them with you and is evidenced by pointing and looking back and forth between the object and you or others.

Finally, alas there are no tests as of yet as there are no cures. Early social language intervention is the the most powerful intervention.

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
James