10/14/2025
I’ve said this recently in a couple sessions!!
Given That Autism Is Highly Heritable…
Given that autism is highly heritable, it’s not surprising that many autistic adults start recognizing their own traits only after one of their children receives a diagnosis.
Research consistently shows that genetic factors play the largest role in autism — estimates suggest that 70–90% of the likelihood of being autistic is linked to genetics. This doesn’t mean there’s a single “autism gene,” but rather a combination of many genetic variations that influence how the brain develops, processes information, and interacts with the world.
So, when we say autism runs in families, we’re not talking about something that’s “passed down wrong.” We’re talking about neurotype — a natural variation in how human brains are wired.
🌍 Autism Isn’t a Defect — It’s Diversity
Understanding autism as heritable challenges the old stigma that autism is a disease or something that needs to be “fixed.” Instead, it reframes it as part of human neurodiversity — just like differences in personality, creativity, or sensitivity.
Many autistic people share traits such as:
Deep focus and passion for interests
Strong sense of fairness or justice
Creative, unconventional problem-solving
Sensory awareness and attention to detail
When these traits appear across generations, it’s not coincidence — it’s legacy.
💡 The Hidden Generation
Because autism wasn’t widely understood until recently, many parents or grandparents of autistic children go through a moment of realization:
“Wait… that’s me too.”
They recognize their lifelong struggles with social exhaustion, sensory overwhelm, masking, or burnout — and suddenly, life makes more sense.
This is why awareness matters: understanding autism as inherently human opens doors for self-compassion and support across generations.
❤️ Acceptance Over “Cure”
If autism is heritable, then trying to “cure” it means trying to erase something that’s built into our DNA.
Instead of focusing on changing autistic people, society should focus on:
Creating environments that reduce sensory overload
Respecting communication differences
Valuing special interests instead of dismissing them
Providing support without judgment or shame
Autistic traits don’t make someone broken — they make someone different. And difference isn’t a problem; it’s part of the design.
🌱 Final Thought
Given that autism is highly heritable, maybe it’s time we stop seeing it as something to prevent —
and start seeing it as something to understand, embrace, and honor.
After all, neurodiversity isn’t an error in humanity —
it’s proof of its beautiful variety. 🌈
