Autistic persons are extra susceptible to despair and anxiousness throughout being pregnant, in accordance with new analysis from the University of Cambridge. The outcomes are printed within the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and have necessary implications for supporting autistic individuals throughout being pregnant.
In the examine, led by researchers on the Autism Research Centre, 524 non-autistic individuals and 417 autistic individuals accomplished a web-based survey about their expertise of being pregnant. Anyone who was pregnant on the time of responding or had beforehand given beginning was eligible to participate.
The examine revealed that autistic mother and father have been round thrice extra possible than non-autistic mother and father to report having skilled prenatal despair (9% of non-autistic mother and father and 24% of autistic mother and father) and anxiousness (14% of non-autistic mother and father and 48% of autistic mother and father).
Autistic respondents additionally skilled decrease satisfaction with being pregnant healthcare. Autistic respondents have been much less prone to belief professionals, really feel that professionals took their questions and issues significantly, really feel that professionals handled them respectfully, and be glad with how data was offered to them in appointments. Furthermore, autistic respondents have been extra prone to expertise sensory points throughout being pregnant and extra prone to really feel overwhelmed by the sensory setting of prenatal appointments.
This examine means that autistic persons are extra susceptible to psychological well being difficulties throughout being pregnant. It is crucial that efficient psychological well being screening and help is out there for autistic individuals throughout being pregnant.”
Dr Sarah Hampton, Study’s Lead Researcher
Dr Rosie Holt, a member of the analysis group, added: “The outcomes additionally recommend that autistic individuals might profit from lodging to prenatal healthcare. These might embrace changes to the sensory setting of healthcare settings, in addition to changes to how data is communicated throughout prenatal appointments.”
Dr Carrie Allison, Deputy Director of the Autism Research Centre and a member of the group, mentioned: “We are grateful to members of the autistic neighborhood for offering suggestions after we designed this analysis. It is significant that autistic individuals with lived expertise assist form the analysis we do, and we preserve their priorities as a transparent focus.”
Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre and a member of the analysis group, mentioned: “It is necessary that extra analysis is performed trying on the experiences of autistic new mother and father, who’ve been uncared for in analysis. It can also be necessary that this analysis is translated into well being and social care coverage and observe to make sure these mother and father obtain the help and diversifications they want in a well timed method.”
Source:
Journal reference:
Hampton, S., et al. (2022) Autistic People’s Perinatal Experiences I: A Survey of Pregnancy Experiences. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05754-1.