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I believe ocd to be genetic as well.

I would say in my experience I strongly suspect it is hereditary.Often you can notice it in one family member and then pick it up in others. I think if you suspect a.s. runs in the family then having children takes a lot of thinking about because you may well be at risk. I personally didn't realise I have in all probabilty A.S. until after I had children. I also didn't suspect for personal reasons it might be hereditary until after I had children. Having said that neither of my two children appear to be on the spectrum, so perhaps I broke the chain, I am not brave enough to take the risk now I suspect though. At the end of the day it's personal choice.

Just thought i'd let you all know in case anyone's interested.There's a rather sad story on the final pafe of woman's own this week. It is about a child who when he was two and a half contracted encephalitus.It doesn't say how he got it.Whether it was through a vaccination or not like my daughter.It doesnt say. It goes onto say the encephalitus left him with autism epilepsy and severe learning difficulties. Unfortunately he never recovered and he is now fourteen and doing well at a boarding school. It says in the article he wasin hospital for sixmonths but life was never to be the same again. My daughter contracted encephalitus at four years old following the measels part of the mmr vaccination going into her brain.She too developed autism but within six months she was lucky enought o make a full recovery. What I cant understand is what makes one child recover and another not bearing in mind they were both toddlers.??? Any thought on this gratefully appreciated. I was surprised at seeing this article as from what i have been given to understand whilst encephalitus is not as rare as one would imagine.Autistic encephalitus is very rare.

Rather unusually i have no problem with eye contact.Yet i tick every other box as someone with A.S. Well most.i don't have any short term memory problems and i don't have obsessions.i have taken the two on line tests and come up easily as someone on the spectrum. Anyone else here know anyone with A.S. who does not have problems with eye contact. I have checked with my husband and he has said he has never seen me have any problems with eye contact.Lots of a.s. difficulties in other areas but no probs with eye contact.

To be honest i really feel for the person who is struggling to make eye contact.I am aware they are obviously very uncomfortable and they have my sympathy. Just to add from articles I have read some people with a.s. will make eye contact perfectly ok provided they are relaxed.The minute they are stressed then eye contact goes. Another thing that is a possibility is if they are with someone they know very well and there fore very relaxed with then eye contact is very good not only with the person they are comfortable with but with others around them. No one should be forced to make and maintain eye contact is just makes them worst. Trouble is that there are situations e.g. job interviews that if you don't maintain appropriate eye contact you are unlikely to get the job. Some people with A.S. will give over intense eye contact as well.e.g. over compensating for their difficulties.

<'> <'> <'> <'> From me too.hope he soon recovers. A seriouely ill child in hospital is one of the worst feelings in the world.I have aunderstanding and sympathy for what's she is going through, best Wishes

Tally I have to say from things I have read about A.S. I agree with much of your post.Someone with a.s. particularly if it is on the milder end of the scale will often socialise with people and even enjoy chatting to them etc, but will probably not form deep and meaningful relationships with people.I am a lot like this and i have mild a.s.Many people with a.s. will not have the same need as other people to seek company either and will be just as happy on thei own.Again this is me. People with a.S. especially on the milder end of the scale can and do socialise but what is very often impaired is their social etiquette, which is perhaps like you said what we saw with jessica. I am quite lucky in that my social etiquette is quite good but this is probably often not the case in lots of other people with a.s. My husband had a friend whom thinking about it now years later in all probabilty had A.S. People would comment about him saying his social skills were poor or Isn't he rude etc.Comments like this really make me angry

Just to add I strongly suspect that I have mild a.S. and I have no problems with imagination as far as playing as a child.I even had an imaginary friend as a child.I loved to write stories and peoms as a child and still do now as an adult.My stories were often read out to the rest of the class because they were well above average for my age. What I fall down in is my ability to imagine how somewone might be feeling or why they are acting in a certain way. So it is possible to have a good imagination in lots of areas and still have A.S. I believe this topic has been discussed on here before.Hope this helps.

Hi Amanda I would say there are very few children with a.S. that can manage without any support at all.I would push for something more concrete. As an adult with A.S. I can and did manage without any support as a child but i am sure i am in the minority.I have only just realised in the last six months that i have A.S. so in my case I guess it is quite mild. Yes i did and still do find certain areas difficult as a child but i just presumed everyone found these things difficult so i just kind of managed. I would push for something more definate if you feel your son needs it.good Luck. <'>

I think it can depend on the levelof someone's A.S. i strongly suspect i have A.s. but it is mild.It doesn't hamper my day to day life too much.I bring up two children and work and run a home.I don't consider I need a diagnosis because i don't feel it would benefit me in any way But there are many people with a.s. who need a diagnosis to get the help they deperately need. Then there are those who want a diagnosis so that they and other people can understand and accept them. Some want to shout it from the rooftops others prefer to keep it quiet. I agree with whats all ready be said there are many adults that suspect they have a.S/ but just want to get on with their life and don't want to accept they have it and shy away from it completely. It is what is best for the person concerned really and also to an extent those who have to live around them.

I saw that programme Paula.There was a thread about it on here and many people didn't like it or agree with it.i actually found it quite interesting to see the different ways A.s. presents itself but then i don't have a child on the spectrum.Maybe if i had i would have viewed the programme differently.

Lindy-Lou I too have been in a similar situation to you and have pushed too hard through worry and concern.From what I have read being able to know the name and make of each and every car and things like this is common in people with A.S. You hae done what you can voiced your concerns i would leave it there and be there for your friend when and if she needs you.

So are we saying jessica had A.S. then?She didnt seem that typical of someone with A.S. but then I know everyone presents differently, some appear more so caled normal than others.

Thanks that is something i didnt know.Thats the good thing about his forum you learn something new just when you thought there was nothing new to learn.

So Tux or anyone else that knows the answer Is it common in people with A.S. then?

This is exactly what i am wondering (see my earlier post on this thread)It seems more than co-incidental

<'> <'> <'> <'> To all of you that are struggling.

It seems to me from reading these posts a high number of people with a.s. are ambidextrous. Is this the case or have I got confused???

Paula Hope you and your sister can come to some understanding soon <'> <'> <'> <'>

Glad you enjoyed yourself.My little boy lobves trains especially Thomas.We can see the trains from the bottom of our garden

Nixrix and Something different, You both got similar results to me I don't have a diagnosis but i stongly suspect i have A.s. Genetically i believe this to be the case as well.I too didn't like phones when i was younger.I am not too bad now though.Sometimes i have to write down wha i need to say

Yes your right these tests are only a guideline but if you all ready suspect you have a.s. then do the tests and they come up with scores indicating you may well havea.s. then it tends to heighten your suspicions that you might be right.

Thats good news.Off to bed now <'> <'> <'>

Congratulations.It seems anywhere goes these days.as long as you feel comfortable i guess thats all that matters

Mine is very unoriginal.just my initials in case anyone hadn't guessed.