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Autism Vox

Of older dads, TV, and other hazards to your health

by Kristina Chew, PhD on November 28th, 2006

Are Old Dads a Health Hazard?

trumpets a November 27th post on MomSquawk. Mention of the theory that older fathers are more likely to have autistic children is made.

I submit my answer to MomSquawk’s question:

Older dads are no more a “health hazard” than blog posts with alarmist titles referencing theories on the order of “TV causes autism.”

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POSTED IN: Genetics, Health, Parenting, Stereotypes, Weblogs

5 opinions for Of older dads, TV, and other hazards to your health

  • MommaSteph
    Nov 28, 2006 at 10:27 pm

    I actually took on the TV article on Slate two days after it appeared, here:

    http://momsquawk.wordpress.com/2006/10/18/autism-and-tv-big-news-or-bad-science/

    I don’t think my title is particularly alarmist. Had I said “OLD FATHERHOOD LEADS TO AUTISM!” I would call it a “trumpet”. But there is a body of evidence that supports the theory that as men age, the DNA on their sperm is more prone to error. Therefore (and the numbers lend weight to this) they are more likely to have kids with particular problems, including schizophrenia and possibly autism. Their partners are also more likely to suffer miscarriage. The hazards of fathering children at advanced age should be more broadly discussed, as are the issues with older motherhood.

    I think your “answer” to my post title is insufficient and glib.

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Nov 28, 2006 at 11:48 pm

    I did see you TV/autism post and thanks so much for posting your link here. I more than appreciate your commenting here; as you are well aware, there are many theories about autism in circulation, and the media seems to have a tendency to rush to report on these—-even if they are hypotheses presented at academic conferences that have yet to stand the test of peer review. Perceptions of autism in the mainstream media continue to be overwhelmingly negative; the proliferation of theories as to the causes of autism—from ultrasounds to the MMR to “older dads”—seems quite endless, whereas thoughtful discussion of how we might best foster ways of changing these negative attitudes on autism and making our society more accepting and even welcoming of neurological difference seem in proportionately shorter supply. The hazards that can and have ensued as a result of these negative perceptions of autism alike merit more discussion and, while answers may not be found, perhaps there might be more understanding.

    Thanks very much again for your comment.

  • MommaSteph
    Nov 29, 2006 at 8:00 am

    I can appreciate your point - the sort of fevered “holy grail” reporting on the search for causes of autism must be frustrating for families living with ASD in the here and now. I don’t think my post was contributing to this trend, however.

    I’ll see what I can do over at our blog to address the issue.

  • Kristina Chew, PhD
    Nov 29, 2006 at 9:45 am

    Thanks very much and I look forward to reading!

  • The Money Question
    May 26, 2007 at 11:14 am

    […] I’ve noted anything from TV to environmental toxins to mothers, the MMR, and mercury and older fathers as supposed “causes of autism,” not to mention wi-fi. No wonder that the Interactive […]

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