Scully wrote:
I am not autistic but my brother has asperger's and my dad has traits. I would like to know is this genetic and does it mean I have a higher chance of having a child with autism/asperger's? Thanks!
I read in "Understanding the Nature of Autism and Asperger´s Disorder" that the author Eward R. Ritvo (MD) did a big statistical study in the US in the 60´s or 70´s (don´t matter) and the answer to that question is: (a big)
NO. Having a brother with autism does
not increases the chance of your children having autism.
If you don´t believe me buy the book.
A quote:
"Finally, before leaving the subject of brothers and sisters (and cousins),
I want to repeat what I said before when discussing inheritance. Our family
studies showed that just because you have a sister, brother, or cousin with
autism or Asperger’s disorder you do not have an increased chance of having
a child with a similar disorder. The increased risk (called the recurrence risk
estimate) is only for parents who have already had an affected child."