I do have two children on the spectrum my son is worse than my daughter I was pregnant with my son before we realized my daughter was on the spectrum(they are two years apart). I have a hard time managing both their care. Because one is severe and one is pulling out. I can not imagine having more than what I do have. The family with six children I don't know how they do it I always worry i am not doin the best for them because my time is seperated a lot and if I had one i think it would be a lot easier to handle treatments. I know that has to be a hard decision to make I am sure you will make the best decision for you and your family. Back then I would have not had anymore but know I wouldn't trade my son for anyhing in this world. He has taught me a lot and we have a close relationship

My wife and I just had our second child on Oct. 2. We had the same feelings and concerns that it seems like you are having. I remember asking my wife, "Do you want a second child?" She said that she did, so I told her we were going to have another child. When we made our final decision to have another child, we made the decision not even thinking about what we would do if our second child developed autism. I can kind of tell that you want another child, and if this is so, go with your motherly instinct. That's usually the right one. And even if our second child would have been born with some type of disability or disorder, we would have loved and accepted him for who he was.

Well sweetie...my advice to ya ...is to give it some time...Jonny is only 6 months old and ya need to be prepared at all costs. I wanted 1 boy , 1 girl....had both..lost my girl during beginning of 2nd trimester...in my situation....I wouldn't dream of having another child....many reasons...but ultimately...I am just too tired! Too old! To burnt out! lol....Awwww hun...sometimes...ya just gotta give it all to the BIG MAN UPSTAIRS! I know having a child with ASD is hard......and having other kiddo's on top of that must make it tuff for some..I would just take a lil time before ya jump in overboard...good thing is ya have a hubby and are in a good solid marriage! I would've probably felt diff. had I of had a solid relationship......just wasn't in his plans...I am glad that ya are thinking ahead...just don't let it get ya down hun....ya have 2 blessings! If GOD gives ya more.....then YA HAVE BEEN BLESSED X'S 3!!!!!! Hugs! years!

Well, I have two children on the spectrum. I am not going to sugar it up.... this is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. There are days when this is so mentally exhausting that I just feel........well mentally exhausted!!! LOL. Although it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done, being a mom it is also the hardest. I love my boys with all my heart but I personally would not have a third. There is only so much of me to go around. I want to feel at the end of the day that I gave it my all and I am not sure that I could handle another child on the spectrum. I am pretty sure I would have a third affected.... if not with autism well something. I just thank god that he gives me the strength to be the best mom I can to my two boys. Maybe you are just going through that thing when you have a new baby and you get the urge to want another. I have gone through that as well. My advice to you is to really think about this. Give it time. Don't rush into anything, why. You have time to have another if you really want to. Big Hugs and I know how hard a decision this is, I wanted 3 as well. Just, I don't think it was in the cards for me. Big Hugs Denise

I have 3 boys. 2 on the spectrum and one is not. It is the hardest thing I have ever done and it's even harder on the kids. just go with your heart about having another one. I wouldn't trade my kids for the world but I also wouldn't choose this life for them either if I had the choice. I guess God knows best. :)

I have three children, the middle child, Stephen is 10 and HFA or PDD NOS. My other two are girls. When I became pregnant with my third it was a shock and not planned. I cried almost everyday, I was so afraid the baby was going to be like Stephen. At the time Stephen was very sick and underweight and didn't walk. He was 1 yr old when I got pregnant with my third. Well, when I had her Stephen was almost two and Still didn't walk, so now I was carrying two children. It turned out my third is a blessing from God. She is my strongest and most outgoing child. She stands up for Stephen at school in a heartbeat without a second thought. Her attitude is " that's my brother and you don't mess with him" she even intimidates the sixth graders! My oldest is now 14 and in her own social thing. Her and Stephen never really clicked. I think she has some traits of Aspergers but not formally diagnosed. She likes to be by herself but by no means would I put her on the spectrum. So, even with NT children you still have problems just different ones. With Stephen I worry about him making friends and teaching him social skills, with my 14yr. old I'm constantly battling" No, you can't go with... it's a school night" so you'll always have issues with any child. Also, one important detail, Stephen would be utterly lost without Gabby(my third). She means the world to him and vice a versa. So, God has his own plans and you'll know in time.

my son was diagnosed with autism when he was 3yrs old. my daughter was 5 months old at the time. i remember thinking-would i have had another baby, if i had known for sure that my son was autistic, knowing that it can be genetic-well, at first my answer was no, but then when i really thought about it-it wouldnt be fair not to give him a brother or sister just because of his disability.
well, my daughter just turned 1 and she has reached all of her milestones, but she does flap her hands sometimes too. only time will tell if she has any autism or other pdd. either way i will never regret my kids-i love them both no matter what. i did have a tubal after i had my daughter. if i could have anymore kids, i would not-because to be honest my hands are full enough as it is.
i think i would give it some time and think about it if i were you. and yes it can be genetic-but i wouldnt let that stop you from having another baby, if you want another one-because either way, you will love your child.

Can I be frank? Last night my middle son Dylan who is 8 came home from school crying. He had a mental breakdown. Nick and dylan are only two and a half years apart. Nick is aweful to dylan. Blames everything from a tornado to the war and stock prices plummeting on "dylans evil brain" (he can't help it) he always has. Nick hates dylan...nick says because of his name but sometimes I wonder. Nick loves the baby. I sometimes wish i didn't have one or the other because if Nick wasn't around Dylan would be so much happier and well balanced if dylan wasn't around maybe nick...well I don't know point is... Nick's care took so much away from dylan. I didn't know nick was autistic until dylan was 1 year old. If I could do it over again...I think waiting until the autie is older and in school to have another baby is wisest. Not just for you and the exhaustion. But for the child as well.

My husband and I are struggling with this same issue. We have 2 boys ages 7 and 4. Our oldest is high functioning, younger one not on the spectrum. We would love a third, but I too am worried about having another on the spectrum. I feel that if I had another one on the spectrum that it would not be fair to the two children we already have. On the other hand, I could possibly have the girl I have been longing for.

omg i can't believe jonny is six month old!! where has the time gone? seems like yesterday, you were posting the first photos of him.

I can't speak to you hun of siblings since sam is an only child. i was 30 when i had him and i'll be 41 next month. to be honest, i had thought about it in the past but felt that i couldn't give sam everything he needed if i had another child plus when we got the diagnosis, i had a hard time accepting it.

but for you my friend, go with your instincts. you will know when the time is right and you and your husband will make the right decision for you and your family. I wish you nothing but the best.

no...my Noah is my youngest child...but if he was my oldest, he would be an only child....his autism is due to birth trauma and genetics. however, on the flip side, i have known people who have had other children, and their autistic kids have done great with them.

Thank you so very much for all your input. It's on the tough days with Jarrett when I begin to feel like I couldn't do it a third time. I think I've finally reached a decision. My husband and I will no loger try for children, but we will have a third someday. I've always wanted to adopt a little chinese girl. My husband is part chinese and you can see it a little in my boys eyes, someday we'll complete our family with a daughter, she just wont come from me. I think I'm okay with that.

I debated having another child and decided my son would need someone to look after him after we were gone. So I got pregnant, worried until I found out it was a girl, since the percentage is lower. Then I delayed all the first round of shots and she doesnot have her second round nor will she. and I have to tell you, not only is my daughter normal, but she's above nornmal, she's gifted.

i, in my case believe it was the vac's. my son is improving every day and he will not recieve any additional vac's as long as he lives, nor will my daughter.

This is a very personal decision for you, best of luck.