Having 6 Kids With Autism.. IsThat Fair To The Kids That They Kept Having Them?

Wow, where do I begin? I'm actually glad you posted this because my daughter is autistic and I am curious to see what kind of responses that are posted here and what others think as well. My daughter has mild autism and that is a struggle on it's own. I couldn't imagine having 6 kids with autism. I don't think I would have that many period. I have 2 kids, my daughter (age 7) and my son is 2 years old. My son doesn't show any of the red flags and his developement is where it should be on all levels. Having my son actually helped my daughter. She wasn't crazy about the whole idea at first because she was the only child for 5 years. She has major social problems that have improved a great deal. When she started school and being around other kids was tough at first but now that she is in the first grade, things are much better. My daughter improves socially over time with being near her peers. All children are different and no child with autism are the same. Sometimes having that many kids would help the situation but at the same time, it could be a problem for some of the other children. But overall, I would say that after at least having 3 children with autism, I would stop having kids. It takes a lot of work and time with one child. A child with autism can grow up to be a successful adult. My daughter has adapted and will continue to do so as she gets older and things will become easier for her. But of course not all are the same and others may have to struggle. The earliest that the problems are found, the easier it will be. There is help out there for those that need it and disability programs that will help the family including medical. It differs state to state and I don't know what other countries may offer. I don't think you are awful with your post at all. I think it's a great post and maybe I can learn more from it.

I agree with you. I think if I had 2 with autism I wouldn't chance it again. But on the other hand maybe the parents were hoping they would be able to have a normal healthy child. It's so sad to think they have to go through that, physically, emotionally, and finacially.

they are finding now that vacinations are causing autism, there is no gene identified in the body to say that someone is or isn't going to get autism. I have a friend his two boys are autistic his girl is fine. You just don't know.

Well as a parent with one Autistic boy, I must say that these parents are brave && blessed. Autistic children or not, 6 kids is a blessing. Some people have it in them to care for children with special needs && I think that is wonderful. I also think that just because their children one after another developed Autism, shouldn't stop them from having more kids, if that is what they truly want. I'm sure these parents knew in the back of their minds that there was a chance each child could be Autistic. I know me && my husband have talked about having another child && in the back of my head, I asked myself "AM I READY FOR ANOTHER CHILD, WHAT IF THIS NEXT ONE IS AUTISTIC AS WELL?" Well, I don't mind having another child, Autistic or not, but my problem right now is my son. He needs so much attention right now && therapy that I think bringing another baby into our family wouldn't be the best thing right now. So we decided to wait, but we do want to have another baby, but we have planned to wait a few more years. && I know there is a chance of having another Autistic child && I don't mind that. I'm more prepared if anything. Right now I have a 6 year old girl && one Autistic 2 year old son && life is good, && maybe life would be even better if we added a new family member, Autistic or not? Time will tell.

I have mixed views on this. Also i am biased because i have a brother with downs and autism and been around people with disabilities all my life. Ya i know you know this moon, but this is for the others who happen to stop by and read this. The chances of me having a child with difficulties is high, but does that mean i should give up the chance of having my own child. A child that no matter what happens to them, or what problems they may have, i will be able to take care of because i already know how to deal with it. There are going to be children with autism, so why not give them to a family that already knows the problems having a child with autism brings. I do not understand why they had six, maybe the wanted a large family, maybe they were hoping for a non-autistic child, i don't know. Plus who knows what the future holds for these children, they maybe able to lead fairly "normal" lives. Plus maybe medical science will come up with something to help the children.

Well, I have not heard much about that story yet. But if the parents can handle it efficiently, more power to them! I do see what you mean, however. I can imagine it's backbreaking to have six children of any condition, and the autism is the icing on the cake. Hopefully the family is getting a lot of help, because the publicity will probably make this more available to them.

I understand what you are saying. I have 5 children of my own, 5 step children and custody of my little brother. IT'S EXHAUSTING!!! All of my children are healthy with no disabilities. I'm very blessed!!! I couldn't imagine having 6 with autism. And I wouldn't keep having them if I knew that there is a chance, any chance at all, that they would have disabilities. I can't understand why one would. If they have the money and sources to take care of them, more power to them, but whew!!!! Great discussion!

no it not fair what they have but it,s not the parent,s fault either having kids we don,t know if they will have a birth defect are not it,s a chance we take and hope and pray they are born health.i understand if they lose ther parents they would become a ward of the state however we are imperfect ourselves so we can be born any sort kind way as far as birth defect.

I just read the article and was touched and also feel their pain. I am a mother to an autistic child too. I will never have another one because I do not believe I can relive the stress, frustration and most of all the heartbreaks again. It may sound selfish as a mother because my daughter will always feel alone but emotionally and socially she is alone already. It is a struggle everyday to get through a day. I also work full time- to pay the bills of course. Like the family, my daughter has the classic autism where she also wreaks havoc at home. She has communication difficulty, cries all the time, and very, extremely shy. It must be the families strong will to keep trying. If our children did not need extra care, then most couples will try to have more kids. All and all, the progress of every child is worthy of their parents love. If these couples could afford it then good for them, I do worry about them when their parents pass away. But if they can afford five children, they must have money stashed away for each child. I could barely afford to pay my monthly bills, so there is no money. With this being said, I think in a way the family with 5 autistic children is making a good choice. The kids will not be alone later in life, they have their siblings to help one another. Most autistic children go through therapy and do will later be mainstream into society just like everybody else. An autistic child is much happier when there is someone there to financially care for them. Without the proper needs, and therapy and autistic child will only decline in the skills they already learned.

Anytime you decide to have a child, you take a chance of something being different about them. It may be downs syndrome or other issues. Just because one child is different doesn't mean the others will be. I have a sister is autistic and my 13 year old will be tested, finally, in february for autism. I understand your concern completely. My sister was constantly picked on to the point where she pulled all of her hair out. Eventually, she dropped out of school. My son is constantly picked on because he is different. He functions well enough to be in regular classrooms but lacks the social skills. There are days when he comes home in tears but won't tell me what happened. Then I get phone calls from some of his classmates telling me what is going on. I can't imagine going through things like that with 6 kids.

I am going to agree with you on this one... I knew a family that had a child with duechennes, a Muscular Dystrophy. They had a second child that also had this. Nearly unheard of but obviously NOT impossible. I remember talking with them one day and asking them what their plans were. They said they were finished. They knew that the odds of a thrird were only 5% but... yea, 5% is tiny UNLESS you are the 5%. They loved their babies but understood also that their lives were going to be dedicated to these two for a very long time. THEY knew when it was time to say Whoa. This family as far as i am concerned were selfish in themselves. One or two autistic children will demand, command and deserve their attention in as much capacity as they could give. Now they have 6 and I dont care HOW good you are, you can not give the attention and care to 6 that you can to one or two. I dont want to sound cold either and I have dealt with care-giving my entire life. I KNOW the rewards of it but I also KNOW the time and love and giving of your whole self that is needed. They really take a chance here of having one of them get seriously injured if they are not 24/7 with them. Well I say God Bless them and I pray for the best to happen... WOWWWWWWWW///

Well my brother is autistic though he isn't on a bad form of autism... Well I can say it's a little unlucky to have six kids with autism... Usually families with kids with autism have a second kid or the rest of the family can help with the autistic kid... I can say that it would be difficult for the family and I hope people that surround them help them and help the kids have the best life they can get :)

My brother has autism. When i see how mutch my parents have to do to garantee him a good life. Then i dont understand how they can raise 6?! I dont think i would like to have more kids after i (by example) already had 2 boys with autism. Not even if they could guarantee my that the 3 child would be OK. It takes allot of effort to raise the children and it doesnt stop when they are grown up or 18 (/21)... I hope they will succeed !

I don't see the problem with it. I think these people are wonderful because they love & accept their children for who they are. I have read about this couple & each kid has a different level of Autism & I believe one is high functioning & the other 5 are not as severe. I think it's a choice only the parents can make, not everyone could do this, but the ones that do, we should praise. Good post though, it was very interesting to see what others feel on this matter.