Autism May Influence Parents On Having More Children

Autism May Influence Parents On Having More Children

A study conducted by the University of California suggests that a majority of parents who have a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may choose to not have future children. The study was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry on June 18th, 2014.

The study looked at the probability of parents who already have an autistic child to have more children over a 15 year period between 1990 and 2005. According to Dr. Ron Marino who is the associate chairman of the department of pediatrics at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, New York, raising a child diagnosed with autism is a stressful, time and money consuming challenge that can have a huge impact on a couple or other siblings.

Researchers said that while the study can't exactly show why parents of autistic children choose to not have any more children, the main causes tend to be financial shortcomings or the fear that the second child will also be born with the condition.

Researchers also mentioned that the study did not include data for miscarriages or stillbirths, two particularities that may affect a couple’s decision to have another child regardless of the autism condition, however, scientists said that this alone does not explain the findings of the study.

Study co-author Lisa Croen said that more research can shed some light on what exactly causes the condition and on an effective treatment plan so that in future, families don’t have to adjust their future life for fear of having a second affected child.

Posted by George Daniels on Friday June 20 2014, 1:29 AM EDT. Ref: utahpeoplespost. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0