Are those working in science more likely to have a child with autism?

The number of autism cases in the UK has risen dramatically over the past few years. Metro meets a British psychologist who believes that parents with jobs in science or technology may be more likely to have a child with autism.

Autism through the ages

A British psychologist believes that part of the cause of autism is parents who work in either science or technology (Getty Images)

Put simply, a systemiser is someone who puts things in order. This could be components of an engine, lines of computer code or even cans of soup stacked neatly in a work of art.

Yes, Andy Warhol was a systemiser. Many believe he was also autistic. The repetition seen in Warholâs celebrated Campbellâs Soup Cans is a trait recognised in those with Aspergerâs syndrome, a form of autism.

For psychologist Simon Baron- Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, systemising is the need to create systems and the desire to explore how they work.

He says an extreme version of this â hyper-systemising â can be seen in those with autism, alongside an inability to empathise with others.Typically, systemisers are found in jobs that involve science, engineering, mathematics and technology. He believes these people could be the key to unlocking some of the mysteries around autism.

According to Prof Baron-Cohen, if both parents are in these fields of work, they have more chance of having an autistic child.âThere are currently several clues that parents who are both strong systemisers might have a higher risk of having a child on the autistic spectrum,â he told Metro. Â 

So even though they are not autistic themselves, these scientists and IT workers may pass on the autistic traits displayed in their jobs to their children, who could then have the disorder. The theory puts further emphasis on genetics in the bid to identify what exactly causes autism.

It is widely accepted by researchers that a combination of genetics and environment leads to autism, but the root causes remain to be established.Scientists believe there are hundreds of autism genes.

Autism stems from a disruption in the development of the brain, leading to  repetitive behaviour and difficulties in communication and social interaction. These characteristics occur before a child reaches the age of  three and last for life.

Aspergerâs syndrome is within the autism spectrum but does not lead to the same communication problems â people with Aspergerâs are often highly intelligent.

It is estimated that there are more than half a million people with autism in the UK â roughly a ratio of about one in every 100.Caroline Hattersley, head of information at the National Autistic Society, said the number of people being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder has grown âtremendouslyâ in the past 20 years.

A study of schoolchildren in Middlesex carried out in 1966 estimated that there were 4.5 cases of autism per 10,000 children.In 2006, a study of children in South Thames found the prevalence to be at 116.1 per 10,000.

But is the explosion in numbers a sign that autism is becoming more common or an indication that it is more commonly diagnosed? âWe have definitely got better at recognising and diagnosing the condition,â said Ms Hattersley.

âBut it would be impossible for us to say whether there is an increase in the prevalence of the condition or whether this is due to better understanding of autism.â

Why the disorder develops in the brain continues to puzzle scientists, although a recent study claimed autistic children have more cells in the brainâs prefrontal cortex.

Referring to previous studies he has been involved in, Prof Baron-Cohen said: âFathers of children with autism are more likely to work in engineering and this is also true of grandfathers of children with autism on both sides of the family. We also know from a 2001 study that mathematicians have more autistic traits than people in the general population.â

His theory is based around the assortative mating hypothesis, where individuals choose to mate with those who are similar to them. Prof Baron-Cohenâs university is running an online survey where graduates are asked to give details about their degree, occupation, their partnerâs occupation and information about their child.

He hopes the results will help establish whether or not a child is more likely to have autism if both their parents work in science, technology, engineering or maths. Earlier this year, he worked on a study that found that children living in Eindhoven â an IT hub in the Netherlands â were up to four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism that children in other Dutch towns.He wants to carry out a similar study on Silicon Valley, where similarly high rates of autism have been reported in the past.

Some researchers are sceptical of Prof Baron-Cohenâs theory â they point out that previous studies have indicated autism occurs in areas where parents are older and better educated.

But Ms Hattersley said more research is needed to explore the potential link put forward by Prof Baron-Cohen. She added: âIt is fair to say that the kinds of skills people need to work in the technology and science industry are also the strengths found in many people with autism.â

Albert Einstein 1879-1955

The physicist developed the theory of relativity but many experts believe in the theory that he had Aspergerâs syndrome, an autistic spectrum disorderthat is generally milder. They argue the traits linked to the disorder are the same as those tied to creative genius. Einstein was a loner as a child and repeated sentences up until the age of seven, researchers said. Later in his life, his lectures were often said to be incoherent and he did not like mixing with crowds.

Issac Newton1643-1727

The English scientistalso showed signs of Aspergerâs syndrome, according to autism experts. At times, Newton would work for three days straight without taking a break, often forgetting to eat because he was so enveloped in his work. It is reported that Newton barely spoke to others. He gave lectures to an empty room if no one turned up. He suffered a nervous breakdown when he was 50.

Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890

The Dutch painter is another major figure in history thought to have had Apsergerâs. He had behavioural problems as a child and found it difficult to socialise with others. It has been claimed that Van Goghâs suicide was the result of his mood disorder combined with Aspergerâs. Michael Fitzgerald, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at Trinity College, Dublin, said Van Gogh could not cope with school and became a workaholic loner as an adult.

Charles Darwin 1809-1882

The English naturalist and author of On The Origin Of Species was able to focus intently on his work because of his Aspergerâs syndrome, according to Professor Fitzgerald. He said Darwin had a great attention to detail but had problems interacting socially, choosing to write letters and go for long walks alone. Collecting things was his lifeâs work.

Andy Warhol 1928-1987

Professor Fitzgerald thinks the American artist, famous for his rows of soup cans, was a classic case of someone with Aspergerâs syndrome. He cites his repetitive artwork as a sign he may have had the disorder and says he was âsocially incompetentâ. Warhol had a tough time at school with bullying and grew to be a workaholic and an obsessive collector, leaving items in their packaging.

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