[ThomasC]

Originally Posted by GoldHeart

Really ... that's interesting, because what about all those kids & teens who are diagnosed on the spectrum,but their parents don't seem to have any of the conditions themselves ? .

But now thinking about it , could it be the parents I'm talking about have never been diagnosed full stop ,or they just don't have the same symptoms etc...but could still be on the spectrum. It's a difficult one.

Maybe more research needs to be done, but I've noticed more & more young people these days are being diagnosed with either autism or ADHD or both.

Both ADHD and Autism are highly genetic, research already suggests up to 80%. There are also other factors at play such as complications during birth.

You also have to account for masking, women do it better than men. It's a coping technique.

I would suggest that the 'parents' have mastered the art of that. I would also say that if you're not very aware of subtle signs it may pass you.

Better diagnosing.... It's quite jew, autism used to be called schizophrenia and they were known as mentally ill patients......a lot of them would bite, you know what they did? They took your teeth out!! You'd be in a psychiatric asylum... I work in the 'industry'.... lve supported older generations and you can see the signs of institutional abuse (guarding their food etc)... Anyway going off on a tangent, but basically we are better equipped to diagnose, although lately you'll be lucky if anything can be done and a diagnosis can take years

Autism really isn't textbook. If you have met one autistic person, then you have met ONE. Yes, there's a lot of similarities, but not always.

It's quite comprehensive.... Then add in co-morbidities.