This isn't about me, personally, but a friend of mine is experiencing it at the moment.

Say, you have one autistic child, age about 8-10, who takes up 150% of your time and devotion. I've seen the troubles she goes through and I pity her. Still, she does what she has to in the best interest of her son. Very great mom in that regard. She can't go anywhere much, all focus is on her son. You can imagine, knowing what you might, about autistic peoples.

Recently, became pregnant, is about five months along now. She's SUPER paranoid, thinking something will go wrong, wondering if she'll have another autistic child or whatever else could happen. She recently had a blood test and found out her hormone levels are too high and this usually means that there's a possibility of a Down's Syndrome baby.

She has a test on Monday, an extensive one, to delve deeper, find out what's up. She said there is no way she can have another "special needs" baby. And I totally understand. Can you even imagine?

So what are your views about that? They can abort the pregnancy if it's unanimous that the baby has something wrong with it. What would you do or what would you encourage your g/f or wife to do, already having one autistic child who is the equivalent of five children? Would you have it, give it up for adoption? Not many people want to adopt disabled children. Would you have it, keep it, and sign your name on the dotted line to be committed to an insane asylum within the next two years? Or would you abort the baby, who would probably, most likely, have a hellish life anyway with not much hope for a good future?

one word, four syllables.

Falcon Punch.

Stupid question to ask in the 'serious' place here, I reckon. Crazy me.

I would certainly take into account the chances of the child being disabled in some way. Knowing that...I still don't know. I don't have children and I've never been pregnant, but my instinct (as a childless male) is to not bring in another disabled child into the world.

But after a few months, when you can see the fetus' little hands and eyes, (you know, when it starts to look like a human), I would not be able to endorse ending the pregnancy.

Wow Spreck, you clearly don't think she should abort the child :rolleyes:

I share DB's sentiments.

I concur, as a childless male, that it is senseless to bring disabled children into this world. I'd say abort if it's not too late, but the clock is ticking.

Huh? I didn't say, either way. But, yeah, I do think she should. She's going tomorrow for more tests, so I hope it all turns out to be okay.

you DIDN'T?!

reeereee?

I'm lost, geez. You think it's wrong that I think an abortion should happen? I wasn't so overpowering in my thoughts about it, I don't think. That's why I was a bit confused as to what ya meant.

lol don't mind me.

Hey! Turns out everything is FINE, yay!!!!!! :D I'm so relieved for her. Stupid false test results. Better to be safe than sorry, anyway.

my brothr has aspegers (a form of autism), so personally speaking, after seeing how much mum goes through, i would have an abortion if the doc said there was the slightest chance of more problems

Aborting your brother is the pits.

lmao - i didn't say i'd abort my bro, i said if he was my son & i was pregnant & they said there's a 50% chance of having another one with aspergers I'd abort the second one :P

She had the munchkin about two weeks ago and everything, so far, is dandy! Cute stuff going on in her world. =)