Why do older fathers have more autistic children than younger fathers?

Question

When it is not already in the family? When there are no uncles or aunts or siblings with ASD?

This study found out this was happening. and older studies found it too. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16953005&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/35320/63153/491833.html?d=dmtHMSContent

Since 1980 the number of children born to fathers 35-54 has gone up 20%.

Here's another recent study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16108999&query_hl=10&itool=pubmed_docsum

Answer 1

Although the data on this correlation are new and under constant review for updating, it appears there may be some genetic damage to the sperm as it ages that increases the likelihood for autism. Also, there is speculation that there is an augmentation in the sperm that comes into play only with respect to developmental issues. All this research is in very preliminary stages and correlational at best, at this point.

Answer 2

I would say that the study is flawed in that it has a very small number of subjects (less than a hundred, when there are millions in the US alone) and it is also reflective of a very exclusive society (only those who are registered in the Israeli draft)

when the study is repeated and comes to the same findings, then we'll look again at this question, yes?

Answer 3

There are no studies that confirm this.

The problem is that 20 years ago we had one in a thousand with autistc symtoms. Now it one in 160.

If the rate of autism was the same then we could say that older dads are to blame...but we cant.

Answer 4

There isnt any documented proff to this were did this come from your thoughts