Now it is my understanding, and I am just a lay person in my studies of AS and HFA, but I believe that the jury is still out on whether there is a definitive genetic link to AS, and there is no widespread consensus on this as yet. I don't ever rule it our myself, as it would make some sense that there might be at least some genetic link to a predisposition towards having this disorder, but no one really knows just yet.
The reason why I think my H has Aspergers is that he has sensory integration issues, doesn't like to be touched, ADHD type issues, he was on Ritalin as a child though never diagnosed with ADHD, believe it or not the researchers told me large head size is common in autism spectrum and H and my children all have extra large head sizes!,(I know that is weird!).
H has a hard time communicating, will leave the room in the middle of a conversation, etc. His mom told me when he was young when he was playing sports something like he was always in his own world or something like that, he would space out, which is how my son was described when he was in school.
Anyway, I know that doesn't cause all of our problems obviously, but I sure think it doesn't help (if we'd been able to communicate better and touching more would have helped us to have a stronger R and prevent the affair maybe although of course who knows?).
BTW, I have always suspected my MIL also has Aspergers, b/c she has a lot of these issues also, with sensory integration, can't stand to be touched, dislikes many people and all children, etc. (she is a lot like my H!) and she is also a registered nurse btw)!!! Karen