What would you think if you discovered your autistic daughter was over 6 months pregnant?

Question

epecially if she don't like contacted with anyone.

(this question hyopthical)

Answer 1

That she had been raped.

This happened twice recently in a city near me. In both cases the young women carried their babies to term and the grandmothers took charge of them because the mothers were incapable of even caring for themselves much less an infant.

In both cases DNA testing was done, the guilty parties identified and sent to jail.

This is a very unfortunate fact of life in our society and everything that can be done to prevent it should be done.

Men who do this are the lowest of the low and deserve no leniency. One of the men in the above cases bragged about his prowess with the girl he raped. She is in a persistent vegetative state. She probably was unaware of what was happening but, it is still wrong.

Answer 2

Is she high functioning aspergers? If not is she around other people, males in particular? Has she formed a relationship with a male?

To automatically assume it was rape is to stick your head in the sand when it comes to autistic children becoming teenagers who have sexual curiousity, desires and behaviors.

Of course any "child" is going to become a sexually mature adult, and it is critical that parents face this and educate their disabled children as best they can. It is also important to discuss this with doctors and other professionals involved in your childs care.

Being autistic of course makes your child more vulnerable to being exploited by predators. Often autistic people see sex as a way to make friends, and have people pay attention to them who would otherwise ignore them or even be mean to them.

It is not unusual for an autistic women to be involved in a close relationship and yes, to become pregnant as a result of that union. Just like other parents, the parents of autistic children can educate them, teach them acceptable behavior, to discriminate between friendship and exploitive behavior and keep them as safe as possible. This would involve birth control for your daughter, unless it has been decided it is acceptable for her to have a baby.

Autistic people dont make the best parents, so in an ideal situation the Grand Parents would be hands on when it comes to caring for a baby and raising a child.

I know assuming it was rape is a first reaction a lot of people would have, but most autistic people will want and explore intimate relationships at some point in their lives. After all they are just human -- like the rest of us.

Answer 3

One could wonder if she has been sexually abused by someone. Predators seem to pray on such people. I know of a situation like that, the woman had been abused by her brothers for years. Finally someone found out about it and took her to an institution. It was very sad.
If I were the mother of the autistic girl, I would start asking a LOT of questions. I would also take her to the doctor and get some tests done to make sure she hadn't contracted some sort of std as well.

Answer 4

I would worry that she had been raped. I would try to establish whether she believe she consented to having sex and with who.(She might not be able to consent, even if she believed she did.) If she is unwilling or unable to answer that- then I would make a list of all the men she had contact with and try to figure out which if any ever have the opportunity to be with her alone. Then I would make every effort to end all those opportunities for her to be alone with those men.

If she did not already have sex education - it is time now.

Have a very serious discussion with her doctor about her capability to understand what is happening to her and to be successful at giving birth without trauma. Consider whether a therapeutic abortion is advisable.

If an abortion is not chosen, make a plan for the baby. Is your daughter capable of being a good mom - with or without support? Do you want to raise her child? Is adoption the best choice?

Once the baby is born/ aborted, be sure to get blood type and DNA so the man who impregnated her can be prosecuted if identified.

Answer 5

Hello there.
Firstly mum you must be devastated and it is really tough to have to rely on strangers for advice.
Clearly somebody has overstepped their bounds and due to your daughter’s condition, this must be considered rape and the perpetrator should be found and prosecuted.
From you daughter’s perspective, it will depend if she is able to understand what is happening to her body?
If she is able, no matter the circumstances the baby is not responsible. If you can’t face raising the child, then you should contact the relevant authorities to place the baby with adoptive parents.
I know there must be much anger directed at those who have harmed your child, but as the mother of an autistic child they cannot be held accountable.
Hug your daughter and make sure she knows you love her no matter what.
Best of luck

Answer 6

If she does like to be touched then she was clearly raped. I would suggest that you get her to an o.b./g.y.n. immediately to see exactly when this happened and to get a DNA test done to find out the paternity. I would then have him arrested for taking advantage of someone who is not able to comprehend what happened to them.

Answer 7

She could not have impregnated herself...obviously she has been in contact with someone. I would get her medical check up..and ensure she has a safe delivery. In the interim find out who has been messing with her!

Answer 8

I would think that some male in the housewhole did it or a friend, family member or neighbor that I shouldn't have trusted did it! Think on that!

Answer 9

That sounds shocking to me. However I would assume that you'd know she had a boyfriend.

Answer 10

Start asking questions.