"You Plant Potatoes, You Get Potatoes" (Now with Scientific Backup!)
Last week, Rebekah and I went on our version of a getaway – The Autism Symposium! (Yes, this is what passes for excitement in my world.) The conference was jam-packed with lectures on the latest autism research and therapeutic approaches for neurodivergent folks.
The rock star of the event? Dr. John Constantino, a psychiatrist who's spent his career diving into the genetic and environmental influences on autism. He presented findings that scientifically validate what my husband has been saying about our kids for years! The potato doesn't fall far from the potato plant, as it were.
I'll spare you the super-wonky details, but here's the punchline: genetics play a HUGE role in neurodiversity.
"Neuro-what-now?"
For those scratching their heads thinking, “What the heck is neurodivergence?” – let me break it down. Neurodivergent people are those whose brains are wired a bit differently. They've got their own special cocktail of strengths and challenges compared to the "typical" brain crowd. We're talking about folks with Autism, ADHD (that's me waving my hand frantically while being distracted by something shiny), Dyslexia, and other similar flavors of brain function. Sometimes they struggle with social stuff or anxiety or keeping their emotions in check – sometimes they're just fine! Some are super creative and some are savants. And some are just average Joe’s.
Honestly? That description sounds like literally everyone at my last family reunion. And there's a reason for that:
We are all Neurodiverse!
1. We're ALL a little neurodiverse! Neurotypical individuals tend to cluster in the middle of the bell curve, while neurodivergent people occupy positions toward the outer edges of the distribution. Those who strongly identify as autistic are typically situated further along these edges, representing more pronounced neurodivergent traits.
2. People with different brain wiring (like those with autism or ADHD) often end up dating and marrying others whose brains work similarly. Dr. Constantino's research shows we're naturally drawn to partners who think and process the world in ways that match our own, even if we don't realize we're doing it. This explains why certain brain traits tend to run in families.
Neurodivergence is Genetic
Bottom line: these neurodivergent traits are totally hereditable – they zip through family trees like electricity. And since we tend to pick partners with similar traits, Constantino says this might explain why autism rates have been creeping up over time. We're literally selecting for these traits! Talk about natural selection with a twist.
Technology Advances Support Early Intervention
The most promising thing I learned? Scientists can now spot autism by tracking eye movements in babies! This means kiddos can get early help when it matters most. Early identification is critical - it allows for timely interventions that significantly improve developmental outcomes and quality of life for individuals with autism. This technology could eventually become standard in pediatricians' offices, so when new parents bring their baby for first-year examinations, they'll also be screened for autism.
When I heard this, I couldn't help myself – I turned to the director of a teen autism program and said, "So when can I invest in the eye-movement dating app startup? Swipe right for compatible neurodivergence!"
References:
Forsen E, Marrus N, Joyce J, Zhang Y, Constantino JN. Mate selection and current trends in the prevalence of autism. Mol Autism. 2024 Jul 16;15(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s13229-024-00607-3. PMID: 39014500; PMCID: PMC11251233.
Lyall K, Constantino JN, Weisskopf MG, Roberts AL, Ascherio A, Santangelo SL. Parental social responsiveness and risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring. JAMA Psychiatry. 2014 Aug;71(8):936-42. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.476. PMID: 25100167; PMCID: PMC4126195.
https://sstemrec.aaas.org/blog/b
