OK, here is my (long) take...

I think it is true that Autism runs in families. My third son has HFA. My brother has Aspbergers. I have cousins and cousins with kids on the spectrum and we are now pretty sure that one of my uncles is on the spectrum. However, I don't think that is all there is to it. I have four kids, all boys, and only my third is on the spectrum.

My fourth was a bonus baby. I wasn't stopping because of the autism, but because we had decided on three. When I had him, my doctor was sick and another doctor from her practice went to deliver him. She had a son with Autism. She lectured me on how I shouldn't be having a 4th (when I'm in labor!) because of the possibility of one being on the spectrum. Even when the nurse was putting my son in my arms, she wished me good luck and said she hopes everything with my baby will be fine. It is. He is as NT as can be.

And if he wasn't, well, then, we get what we get. We have children because we want a child. Not because we want a gender, or certain type. You may want a little girl and have all boys. You might get a girl, but she can shun the color pink, dresses, and all that other girly stuff. You could have the perfect child and they could be hit by a drunk driver at 8 and that's that. They could develop cancer. There are NEVER, EVER any guarantees in life.

If you want a child to love and raise, if you are willing to take whatever comes your way, then and only then have another child--regardless of autism.

I have had four more beautiful childern. They are my son's best therapy. Our biggest struggle with Nolan is social issues. It is much easier to teach these when he is at home with people he knows and loves. He is much more relaxed and open on how to best enteract with his sisters than when he is elsewhere.

My middle son was diagnosed first with my oldest being diagnosed 2 years later. We had my third son in between the 2 diagnosis's. So my answer is, if you planned on having more than one child don't let Autism get in your way. Our family is a very happy family.

This was a constant struggle between myself and my husband.We decided not to have a second child and to this day regretted this decision.Funny thing,we never even thought about the possibility of the second child being autistic.Our ideas were always the fear of paying more attention to the typical child and our other ASD child being neglected.We should've trusted ourselves more that we wouldn't have allowed that to happen.Children are a joy to have,no matter if they're typical or not.Another thing to consider is,you're not going to live forever,the sibling could take over for you.I hope that doesn't sound too horrible,I guess its just a fear that I have for my son.

My oldest was not diagnosed until kindergarten. By then we already had two more sons. Neither of them are on the spectrum. Remember that children bring you joy and multiply the love in your family. If you always wanted more children don't let fear stop you.