A new research study done by The University of North Caroling at Chapel Hill showed a link between autism in children and mental disorders in their parents.

The research compared children who were born between 1977 and 2003 who were diagnosed with autism before the age of 10 with the rate of parental mental disorders of children in a control group. Children had parents that were diagnosed with schizophrenia were 2 times as likely to have a diagnosis of autism. Previous studies have also shown a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in families of autistic children.

Autism is a complex neurological disorder which affects around 1 out of every 150 children according to The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children affected by autism may have a broad variety of symptoms including impaired communication and socialization skills.

I find this very interesting as I have two children who have been diagnosed with autism. Incredibly, my ex husband does have a schizophrenia diagnosis and mental illness is very common in his side of the family?something I discovered after we married. I remember worrying over this when I was pregnant with my first child 15 years ago and discussing it with the obstetrician. He assured me that I had very little to worry about.

This study certainly has me curious to find out if I am alone in my situation. Do you have a child with autism? Is this study relevant to your situation or not at all applicable?