Invisible Inheritance: Mother's Trauma Can Affect Children's ADHD and Autism

Children with ADHD or autism tend to have more difficult experiences in childhood, such as violence or family problems. The study showed that these situations are also common in the childhood of these children's mothers, and that this can affect the emotional well-being of their children. In other words, traumas experienced by parents can be reflected in their children, which reinforces the importance of taking care of the mental health of the entire family.

Adverse childhood experiences, known as ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), are difficult or traumatic events that occur in the first 18 years of life. These include situations such as physical or emotional abuse, neglect, turbulent family separations, domestic violence or parents with mental health problems or addiction.

In 1998, a study showed that these experiences can cause serious physical and mental health problems throughout life.

Since then, many other studies have confirmed that these difficulties can even affect the school performance of young children, such as difficulties with language, mathematics and attention, as well as behaviors such as aggression, anxiety and depression.

More recent research has shown a link between these traumatic experiences and so-called neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism.

Children with these disorders are often more exposed to difficult situations at home and in the community, such as separated parents, poverty, violence, or drug use by family members.

On the other hand, children who go through many of these experiences are also more likely to present symptoms related to ADHD, which shows that the relationship can work both ways.

In addition, children with neurodevelopmental disorders may suffer even more from the effects of adverse experiences, both because they are more vulnerable and because they often have more difficulty accessing appropriate treatments.

These experiences are also linked to late diagnoses of these disorders, which delays the start of important interventions.

When a child has both a neurodevelopmental disorder and a history of adverse experiences, the risk of developing more serious psychiatric problems, such as episodes of mania or severe depression, is even greater. This shows the importance of looking at these two factors together in clinical care.

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and autism, also have a significant genetic component and tend to run in families. Studies show that many parents of children with ADHD, for example, also have symptoms of the disorder.

However, although we know that there is a relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders and ACEs in children, there have been no studies investigating whether this same relationship also occurs among parents, that is, whether parents with neurodevelopmental disorders also have a greater history of adverse childhood experiences.

Other research shows that the impact of adverse experiences can extend from one generation to the next. For example, mothers who experienced difficult situations in childhood are more likely to develop depression during pregnancy and after childbirth, and this can affect the baby's physical and emotional health.

Furthermore, when parents or caregivers have experienced multiple ACEs, there is a greater chance that their children will also experience similar situations. This phenomenon is called intergenerational continuity of ACEs.

However, little is known about how this happens in families with neurodevelopmental disorders. If this relationship is confirmed, ACEs scores in parents could be used as an early warning to identify children at risk.

In view of this, the study presented by researchers from the University of Gothenburg had three main objectives: to verify whether there is a relationship between the traumas experienced by parents and those experienced by their children with neurodevelopmental disorders; to investigate whether parents with ADHD or autism traits also reported more traumatic experiences in childhood; and to understand whether these factors are linked to emotional or behavioral problems in children.

The study was conducted in Sweden with 86 mothers, 37 fathers and 48 children diagnosed with ADHD and/or autism. The parents answered questionnaires about their own childhood, traits of neurodevelopmental disorders and their children's behaviors.

The children reported the difficult experiences they had experienced. The results showed that mothers who had more traumatic experiences in childhood had children who also reported more of these experiences.

In addition, these mothers also presented more traits of ADHD and autism. Among the children, those who reported more ACEs also presented more emotional problems. Another important finding was that the traumas experienced by mothers were linked to more behavioral and emotional difficulties in their children.

Interestingly, these same associations were not observed in fathers. In summary, the study reinforces the importance of investigating the history of trauma in mothers of children with ADHD or autism.

This can help health professionals provide more comprehensive care, considering both the child and the parents' life experiences. The study also suggests that the role of fathers (men) in this context needs to be further explored in future research.

READ MORE:

Adverse childhood experiences in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their parents

Maria Davidsson, Frida Ringström, Bibbi Hagberg, Christopher Gillberg and Eva Billstedt

Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. Volume 79, 2025 - Issue 3

DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2025.2469737

Abstract

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events associated with negative health outcomes. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are at increased risk of ACEs, however, research on ACEs in children with NDD and their parents, and its possible relation to child problems, is limited. We aimed to explore the association between ACEs in parents and children; if there is an association between parental ACEs and NDD traits, and if ACEs in parents or children are associated with the child’s emotional behavioral problems. The study included 86 mothers, 37 fathers, and 48 children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), recruited from two child psychiatric clinics in Sweden. Parents provided demographic information and reported their own ACEs, NDD traits, and their children’s emotional and behavioral problems. Children responded to measure of ACEs. Maternal ACEs were significantly correlated with child ACEs (r = 0.382, p = 0.034), as well as with maternal ADHD traits (r = 0.451, p < 0.001) and ASD traits (r = 0.451, p < 0.001). Child ACEs also correlated with child emotional problems (r = 0.304, p = 0.038). Regression analysis revealed a relationship between maternal ACEs and child emotional and behavioral problems (β = 0.511, p = 0.036). None of these associations were found in fathers. This study highlights the need for ACE screenings in evaluations of children with ADHD/ASD and suggests clinicians to consider maternal trauma and maternal NDD traits. Future research should explore paternal involvement.