News-Letter

In addition to maternal antibodies there is much evidence that advancing paternal age is a potent risk factor for autism. The Simons Foundation website has this article discussing some of the research: http://www.simonsfoundation.org/news/father-s-advanced-age-feeds-autism-risk

This is more of a question than a comment. We have a five year old son who is mild/moderate autistic. I was Rh positive during that pregnancy. I was given the Rhogam shot during the pregnancy and after he was born. Is the Rh factor being considered or researched as a possible link to autism? Thank you.

My (fifth child) youngest child was diagnosed with high-functioning autism/asperger's syndrome at age 35 and has had to rebuild his life from that time on. He is struggling a lot, but is making some headway toward higher education and new job skills.
I had developed problems with my thyroid during that last pregnancy: hypothyroidism. (thyroid was surgically removed 6 months after baby's birth.) Just wondering if this could have contributed to the problem: maternal antibodies: autism.

My two children also have Aspergers. By accident, I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease, but I think I have had it for many years that was misdiagnosed as IBS. I was tested for antibodies only because my oldest son was found to have this disease too.

I've asked my friends on the thyroid (autoimmune) boards how many of them have had children with learning disabilities/autism/dyslexia/ACC etc - it's astounding how many do. And nearly all of them are boys born to moms older than 30 -- which is also the age that autoimmune diseases increase.