Autism linked to mother's autoimmune disease?

[jehannamama]

 I didn't know I had any autoimmune diseases, then. And I do know that I have kids who do not have Autism and I know others who have autoimmune disorders far worse than my own who have children who are neurotypical.

My husband had traits and I seem to be pretty much AS, although I don't have a diagnosis.

We have four children. Two have ASD. Two seem

Comments

[sr_rivka42]

Remember that the article says that while mothers' autoimmune disease does increase the "risk" (if you want to put it that way), it's still quite small in absolute proportions. Most children of mothers with autoimmune conditions are not going to be on the spectrum. These researchers are looking at broader trends within large populations

[rainbow_goddess]

All the women in my family have autoimmune diseases. My mother had asthma, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis and a thyroid condition. My sister has asthma and rheumatoid arthritis and she has two children on the spectrum. I have juvenile diabetes, asthma, eczema, fibromyalgia, and am allergic to damn near everything, it seems like, but I'm not having children.

[kisekileia]

I'm pretty certain that "refrigerator mothers" were actually Aspies.

My mom doesn't have any autoimmune issues except for asthma (if that counts? I didn't think it was autoimmune, but Rainbow listed it) and mild allergies. My aunt, on the other hand, has fibromyalgia as well, and her kids are completely NT.

[foundunicorn]

The meds I take for asthma lower the immune system in my lungs, so yes it is.

[skyrabbit]

Re: "Refrigerator mothers" actually being Aspies:

That's interesting. I have been thinking, since I identified as being on the spectrum myself, that my mother (now dead) may have also been a mild Aspie.

She was very nurturing in a practical sense, but rather emotionally distant. I could tell that she didn't enjoy hugs. I remember things like her going ahead of me when I went to bed, turning all the lights on so I didn't have to be in the dark, but I don't remember much physical closeness or comfort.

I wish she was still around so I could appreciate her more, given the insight that I now have.

[skyrabbit]

Having said that, I wasn't that keen on physical closeness or hugs myself, either.

[lfinder]

That could explain things. . .my sisters are both type 1 diabetes.

My two of my sons are on the spectrum. The third may be, but there is conflict on his diagnosis. One of the ones who is on spectrum also has psoriosis(sp). . .

Could explain things. . .

[skyrabbit]

Well I do have certain autoimmune conditions myself: coeliac (undiagnosed but pretty certain of it); Hashimoto's thyroiditis; interstital cystitis; and possibly Sjogren's Syndrome. Oh, and I'm prone to eczema/psoriasis.

My mother wasn't diagnosed with any autoimmune disorder, but I suspect she may also have been a coeliac. (One of my brothers likewise.)

They don't say how many of the children actually had autoimmune conditions themselves.