I have just finished reading another feel-good article on the great riddle of autism. This one, in Scientific American, and another condensed version by the same author in his blog, connects advanced aged fathers (e.g., me) with increased risk of siring autistic offspring (e.g., my son). The author, an advanced aged father himself, says had he known of these risks he might have thought twice about having his son, a two-year-old who as far as I can tell is autism free.
We wouldn’t know for two years or so whether Henry had autism. And because schizophrenia does not usually appear until the early 20s, we had decades to wait before we would know if Henry was affected.
He also admits that even if his advanced age increases the risk of having a child with autism, such risks are still very low.
(Charles J.) Epstein points out that the general rate of abnormalities of all kinds in newborns is about 2-4%. So even a 3% risk of schizophrenia in the children of men over 50 is not out of line with other risks. And it sounds less frightening when put this way: A 50-year-old man has a 97% chance of having a child without schizophrenia.
So why do I need this? ”Vaccines caused your son’s autism.” ”Your age is what did him in.” “Your son is autistic because you’re a shitty dad.”
Why do I need this? I don’t.
All I need is the love of my son. All I can say is, when we were trying to have him four years ago, not knowing that love was the only risk I took.
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