Are Working Mothers More Likely To Have A Child With Autism?

Oct. 23, 2008 -- Question: Are working mothers more likely to have a child with autism?

Answer: Working mothers are no more likely to have a child with autism than mothers that don't work. There's no relationship between working and having a child with autism. However, there is increasing appreciation that parental age, especially age of the father, is associated with an increased risk of autism. And there may be an effect with the mother as well, but this is not as well-established. So, while age may be a factor, certainly, whether you work or not is not a factor.