my boyfriends siter is a low functioning autistic women, mentally retarded maybe,?

Question

what are the chances that if we ever had children they would or could also be this way?

she is very low functioning, she can not answer a question, there are only a few words she can say on her own, she mostley just trys to repeat the one word that some one else says. She is 27 and has violent fits, she hits people, throws things, pulls her hair out, slaps her self.

Answer 1

There is always a chance that a baby will be born with a developmental problem but if you want odds, the odds are that you would not have a problem. This sister's problems could be due to a problem at birth or something she was exposed to in utero. The exact cause of autism is not known, at least in most cases, but the "odds" are it is not a directly genetic cause. Mutations happen in genes for a lot of reasons and just because one sibling has a problem does not mean others even carry the same genetic problem, if indeed that is the case.

Answer 2

Scientists are still trying to figure out what causes autism. They know there is a genetic component because of some studies they did looking at twins. If 1 twin has autism, the other twin is more likely to have autism than if they were just siblings. That said, it's not guaranteed that if 1 twin has autism the other will too, so it's not caused only by genes, something else contributes to the development of autism as well. Since there is some genetic component, and disabilities like autism do run in families, if you and your boyfriend have a child, the child would probably be at slightly higher risk of developing a disability than someone else, but you could also have a completely normal child. You would have to wait and see. If you are very worried about this you could make an appointment to speak with a genetic counselor. The counselor would be able to give you a better idea of what the risk could be. Good luck

Answer 3

There are autistic and mentally retarded children born into families that have never had another person with a disability. It all depends. You can look at statistics, but they never really mean anything. This oculd also be from something totally different than a choromosome/gene disorder. It could have had outside influences that aren't present in your pregnancy.

Answer 4

Any number of things could have caused his sister to have these symptoms. When you reach the point you are actually considering having a child with this person, ask his mother if there were any problems with the pregnancy or delivery. Also ask if they had genetic testing done and if so were there any positive results. Even if you are both perfectly healthy, his sister's disability was caused by something physical during delivery, and there are no real warning signs on either side you could STILL have a disabled child, that fear should not prevent you from having children.

Answer 5

There is a remote possibility. Autism is at least party genetic. I have a friend who has two autistic boys. However, there are severe learning disabilities on both sides of the family. I think the chance is remote, but there is a chance.

Some autistic people appear to be retarded and some retarded people appear to be autistic. When you get to the lower end of the autism spectrum, it is really hard to tell people apart.

Autism is a communication disorder in that people with autism cannot process language that they hear or express themselves. They may be quite intelligent, but it is hard to tell sometimes.

The reason this person screams and has fits is due to the fact that she is unable to communicate, which is a source of deep frustration to most autistic people. Obviously no one is providing her with a means of communication, such as picture choice cards. This is a shame in this day when we are much more enlightened about the needs of autistic people.

To learn more about autism, try reading, "Thinking in Pictures" by Dr. Temple Grandin. She is autistic and gives you an insider's view of autism. It is a fascinating book.

Answer 6

Autism is genetically linked, so there is some chance that if you had a child with your boyfriend, that your child could have autism. Autism is what it is... a disorder. It doesn't change who a person is- just how they perceive the world. Having autism does not define a person, but it can be quite challenging. I wouldn't let the prospect of having a child with a disorder that they can't control keep you from having children, however... if all mothers did that, there sure wouldn't be very many children! We all worry that our children will be born with a disability, but in the rare instances that it happens- you deal with it- because that person is your child. Disabilities don't have to be a life sentence... it is all in your perspective.

Answer 7

Well depending upon her actual condition, there can be several answers.

With Autism, the actual cause is still not known but there are many theories. In my personal experience with children and families of Autistic people, I feel it is primarily genetic, since it does tend to occur more frequently in families where one child already has a diagnosis. That being said, you tend to see it run in families where they have one child and then have another. If you have one child born Autistic your chances of having another jump from 1 in 150 to 1 in 10. I'm not sure there are any studies to support the chance of a sibling of an autistic person.

As for being mentally retarded or intellectually disabled as it is now being called, there are many factors that could contribute to that person winding up in such a state. Genetics, Traumatic brain injury, exposure to certain toxins while in the womb and so forth.

My recommendation to you, is if this is something you are worried about, talk with your boyfriend about it. It may be a concern of his as well, then you two can work it out together.

Good luck.

Answer 8

If Authistism is genetic then I would say that there would be a higher change of having an autistic child. There are different levels of Autism. Have you been watching America Next Top Model. Heather had a form of Autism. Look at her, she beautiful and intelligent. Don't be so worried.

Answer 9

autistic people are not stupid.the reason why their brain is wired that way is a result about focuseing on one thing.scientist and geniuses focuse so hard and are locked with in one thing that their brains wires that way and blocks out any other sound.i could become autistic even if i was not born one.children can become un autistic,so dont try to cram everything at them at a small age.their brain is suppose to develop slowly,not rapidly.you love this guy? there is a very small chance,but there is always the hope that your children can be cured.meaning great scientist are suffering from mild forms of autism. you have a 20% chance i would say.

Answer 10

I disagree with the chick that says there is a 50% chance. The odds do not work like that...but there is a possibility. There are lots of good therapies out there for autism, and if caught early...it can be dealt with.