Onset of maternal psychiatric disorders after the birth of a child with autism spectrum disorder: A retrospective cohort study

Conclusion and implications:
The increase of psychiatric disorders in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder and no psychiatric history compared to similar mothers with no child with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability might be due to a pre-existing genetic disposition coupled with an environmental trigger provided by the challenges of raising their children with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the increased burden borne by the mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder might result in a higher incidence of psychiatric disorders in mothers who are not genetically disposed.

Source: Autism - December 23, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Fairthorne, J., Jacoby, P., Bourke, J., de Klerk, N., Leonard, H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research