question for message board participants

I'm suspicious why so many with Aspergers were delivered by forceps. I hear this more times than I don't. My own birth record admits to the dr injuring me with forceps.

hello

please tell me more about this...forceps thing. On my right side of head, there is a small 0.5 inch radius circle where there is no hair, neither does hair grow on it, but the rest of the hair on my head is normal. My family has a very strong genetic link with A.S. and Autism, but I had many many savant abilities when I was young, and have done great things (I am 25, see www.fazliazeem.com). I am diagnosed as Aspergers Syndrome.

Qazi Fazli Azeem
karachi, pakistan
www.fazliazeem.com


By the way...see this article about Genetics
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Scientists identify gene mutation in autism


Sun Dec 17, 1:05 PM ET



French scientists have identified genetic mutations in a small number of children with autism which could provide insight into the biological basis of the disorder.

They sequenced a gene called SHANK3 in more than 200 people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, and found mutations in the gene in members of three families.

ASD covers a range of problems that affect communication, social interaction, verbal skills and behavior.

"These mutations concern only a small number of individuals, but they shed light on one gene ... that is involved in autism spectrum disorders," Thomas Bourgeron, of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, said in a report in the journal Nature Genetics.

ASD, which affect six out of 1,000 children, range from mild to severe forms. The disorders are caused by chromosomal rearrangements in 3 to 6 percent of cases.

In people with cognitive deficits and with autistic behavior a part of their chromosome 22 is often affected. That region contains the SHANK3 gene.

In all three families identified in the study, the researchers found they had various types of mutations in the gene. Two brothers in one family had small deletions, while another child in a different family had significant deletions.

A girl with a deletion of SHANK 3 in the third family suffered from autism while her brother, who had an additional copy of the gene, had a mild form of autism called Asperger syndrome.

The cause of autism is unknown. It usually develops before the age of 30 months. A minority of autistic children, who are known as autistic savants, show remarkable artistic, musical or mathematical skills.

The protein encoded by SHANK3 interacts with other proteins called neuroligins, which have a role in giving impulses to the brain, spinal column and nerves.

i think both play a role in aspergers, genetic and difficult delivery. my delivery with my daughter who has aspergers was traumatic. my water broke 12 hours before she was delivered and she was stuck in the birth canal for three hours. forceps had to be used to get her out. she had a big head, 95th percentile.

also, there is autism on my husband's side of the family. he has a cousin whose son has PDD and he is four years old.

Hi,

In my case, I believe that I was born with AS. As far back as I can recall, I've been "different". I'm a gentle soul who walks to my own beat, enjoys hobbies and past times that might not appeal to others, have an unusual walking pattern, and don't enjoy loud noises. Most of all, I have never been involved in a personnal relationship (although I dearly want to meet women, with the hope that one lady will be my soul mate). and no, I've never even been on a date, and I'm 37.

I think there is always a nature and nurture component to how every person develops. However, looking at family history and generational trends, there is very strong evidence that ASD is a genetically pre-determined aspect to a person's development. I am the mom of a child diagnosed with Asperger's and a daughter of a man who was never formally diagnosed.

Hi
I'm a new memebr here with a 16 yr old son with AS. I believe there's a pre disposition for AS. It's a neuro-biological disorder found in families with anxiety, depression, alcoholism.Myself & my family have a history of anxiety/ panic disorders, & his biological father & their family, alcoholism.
I explain it as a "short" in the brain. Sometimes signals go across at a normal speed, sometimes they skip across & sometimes don't cross at all. My son participated in a AS research study in New Brunswick, NJ quite a few years ago.It was an all day Q& A for my son & myself, & testing for him. It also included an MRI of the brain. His MRI showed an entanglement of blood vessels of the right side of the brain. Significant? They couldn't say.
My son has grown in leaps & bounds through the support systems he had in his elementary school in Highland Park, NJ over the years.Social skills groups, speech therapy for language pragmatics, & self esteem groups. I also had put my career as a nurse on hold for a few years to work in his elementary school as a special ed aide, working in the classrooms helping the teachers support children that were classified, & I had the wonderful experience of working with 3 AS boys there. I have learned alot advocating for my son. He grew up an only child, and no dad(until 4 yrs ago).He didn't have any relatives near his age to learn "how to be" from, & had no friends, & was made fun of in school.Since I have found a great man(and married now) who has accepted my son with open arms,a step brother & sister who "got" him right away & they all were eager to learn about his disorder & began helping my son & myself. My son has grown so much. Baby steps of course, but steps non the less!
Thanks for having me!
Mary