I am a single parent to two boys on the autism spectrum. The father has never been a parent figure to the kids as he suffers from Paranoid Schizophrenia, among other things.
I have read over the years that a large percentage of families break up who have children with autism.
The Ladie's Home Journal magazine has a series each month entitled Can This Marriage be Saved? In the September 2006 issue the article title is "We Battle Constantly Over Our Autistic Child".
This is on page 116, 120, 123, 126 and 128. I found it interesting that the following page was an advertisement for bipolar disorder and one on depression.
Anyway as a subscriber I am not sure of the single copy price, but if you have a child with autism and married, this might be something to pick up and discuss with your spouse.
It is not online yet, but here is the site where they have published other articles in the series:
The magazine cover is Michael J. Fox and his wife. The article was very well written and discussed the issues each spouse has and felt through the years. I could relate to each of them.
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Comments: 12
.there is ONE gene in common ONLY to the following populations: asperger's syndrome, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
It is called the reelin gene. REELIN...gene.
Ever hear of it? More grist for the genetics mill.
It must be tough having to deal with a schizophrenic ex and two boys on the ASD spectrum.
We have a lot of ADHD in my family. My mother, rest her soul, was a paranoid schizophrenic.
I don't remember if you were here when I published an article last month about my mother's illness.
if you weren't here, let me know and Ill point you to it.
I read your article on your Mom but lost my connection before I could post a comment, those articles with numerous comments take too long on dial up to download so I tend to skip them.
My youngest son is on anti-psychotic medication, before this one he was on one his father had been on. The father is no longer on mecs. Typically they feel better while on meds and then get off the med.
I have read many times that those suffering with Paranoid Schizophrenia get more religious, which is the case with my ex. Also many with PS are previous drug addicts and have criminal backgrounds, true for my ex as well.
I have to worry about alzheimer's since my grandmother and her sister died from it and then my kids have a 50% chance of becoming paranoid schiozphrenic on top of having autism.
Melanie
from Eps and EA
There are no dx's of bi-polar or schizophrenia in either paternal or maternal family. Only autism spectrum, including aspergers, autism and Pdd-nos.
My sis has a child with autism, her marriage was rocky at the beginning of the diagnosis and therapy, they still have their moments but over time they got comfortable with the way life was going for their family.
hmm.. interesting news about paranoid schizophrenia and autism link.
My paternal grandmother had a long history of paranoid schizophrenia, my father has chronic depression. My mom had an aunt with unknown type of mental illness.
Now I have a nephew iwth autism.
But what about links to learning disabilities and autism?
My father, me, my oldest brother, my youngest son, my sister's oldest son.. we all had problems with learning. Learning to read, read with comprehension, spelling.
Lots to ponder.....
Sue