Can Two Autistic People Have Non Autistic Children?

Genetics, autism, and all the confusing science stuff

So, let’s dive right in. The short answer? Yes, two autistic people can have a non-autistic child. It’s not guaranteed either way. Genetics isn’t a vending machine — you don’t just press the “autistic” button and boom, that’s the outcome.

I remember sitting with my friend James (he’s on the spectrum too), and we were talking about parenthood — fears, dreams, the whole existential mess. And he asked me, dead serious, “What if my kid is neurotypical? Would I even know how to parent them?” That hit hard. Because it flips the usual narrative, right?

But let’s unpack how this works.

Autism isn’t controlled by one gene

Unlike, say, eye color or blood type, autism is polygenic, which means it's influenced by multiple genes — and probably also by environmental factors we’re still figuring out.

You could have two autistic parents who each carry different combinations of genes related to autism, and their child might not inherit enough of those traits to meet the diagnostic criteria. Or the child might inherit some traits, but not in a way that results in an autism diagnosis.

What are the odds, really?

There’s no exact percentage — but some patterns

Studies have shown that if one parent is autistic, the likelihood of having an autistic child is higher than average. If both parents are autistic, that risk goes up again. But it’s not 100%. Not even close.

I’ve seen couples where both parents are on the spectrum and all three of their kids are neurotypical. And I’ve seen the opposite. It’s a wild card.

Honestly, I used to think it was almost certain I’d have an autistic kid if I had children. But after talking to a genetic counselor (yeah, I actually did that — big nerd moment), I realized I was oversimplifying the whole thing.

What if your child isn’t autistic?

The emotional side — not enough people talk about it

Okay, real talk. If you're autistic and your child is neurotypical, it might feel a little... disconnected at times. Like you're not speaking the same language.

One mom I know, autistic herself, told me, “My son just loves eye contact and small talk. He’s six and has better social intuition than I do at 30. It’s kind of amazing and intimidating.”

But guess what? That’s parenting. Neurodiverse or not, every parent-child relationship comes with mismatches and moments of “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

And who says a neurotypical kid can’t learn from autistic parents? About boundaries. About authenticity. About emotional regulation. That’s powerful.

You might still see familiar traits

Even if your child doesn’t get an autism diagnosis, they might still inherit certain characteristics: sensitivity to noise, focused interests, a love for structure. Traits that show up in broader neurodivergent profiles — sometimes referred to as the Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP).

So it’s not always black and white. It's not “autistic” vs. “not autistic.” There’s a huge gray zone. And sometimes that’s where the most beautiful parts of family connection grow.

And what if your child is autistic?

Honestly? Then they’ve got two amazing guides.

You’ll understand their meltdowns in a way most parents can’t. You’ll get the sensory stuff without needing a manual. You’ll see their strengths — not in a “special needs” way, but in a that’s just how we are way.

I know one autistic dad who told me, “My kid being autistic is actually easier for me. I know exactly what calms him down, because it’s what calms me down too.”

That gave me chills.

Of course, there will be challenges. But they’ll be familiar ones. Ones you’ve probably faced yourself. And that shared experience? It’s gold.

So... should autism stop someone from having kids?

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: Absolutely freaking not.

Having or not having kids is a deeply personal choice. But being autistic doesn’t disqualify anyone from being a good parent. The whole “but what if the child’s autistic too?” thing? That’s not a reason to avoid parenthood. That’s fear talking.

And what if the child’s neurotypical? Still not a reason. You’ll learn each other. You’ll grow together.

Final thought: biology isn’t destiny — love is

Can two autistic people have non-autistic children? Yes. And vice versa. Genetics is messy and unpredictable and weirdly poetic.

But at the end of the day, the real question isn’t about diagnoses or labels. It’s about connection. Support. Curiosity. Patience. And if you’re already asking these questions — if you care this much — then yeah, you’ve already got what it takes to be a great parent.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.