The free online resource provides support around added challenges and complications.
The Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub, put together by Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) provides information for new and prospective parents as well as tools for health practitioners to provide support within the Australian healthcare system.
One in 40 Australians is diagnosed with autism. Along with a higher incidence of pre-term delivery before 37 weeks, autistic people face specific challenges with pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
“They may experience sensory challenges, busy and loud waiting areas and communication challenges with health care professionals, particularly if they’re seeing a range of different health care professionals without that continuity of care,” Dr Charlie Benzie, senior lecturer in midwifery at La Trobe University, told ABC’s AM program.
The hub includes personal experiences from autistic parents, practical strategies, e.g. a “step-by-step guide outlines how to plan for your first pregnancy appointment and what to expect when visiting the doctor/GP”, sensory-friendly birthing options and videos about common early parenting strengths and challenges, useful podcasts, birth plan templates, and visual resources.
It also has three training modules designed for clinicians on inclusive care provision in perinatal care settings, links to peer-reviewed published research, tips and other clinician resources.
The hub came out of research conducted by Aspect’s research arm, Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP), which had an advisory team of autistic and non-autistic parents and practitioners.
The research showed autistic people were more likely to experience prenatal anxiety and depression, reported lower satisfaction with maternity care, and found it difficult to access post-natal support.
Autistic people said they felt lost in the system, socially drained, they experienced challenges expressing their needs, communication overwhelm, trauma from feeling misunderstood, erosion of trust and dismissal.
“All of our ideas are wrapped around the idea of neuroaffirming care. It’s a strength-based approach that recognises that all neurotypes have unique strengths, interests and support needs… it’s about changing the environment. Not asking a person to fit into a mould and a way of doing things,” Dr Abbey love, Autistic Pregnancy and Early Parenthood Experiences and
Support project lead, told The Women’s Grand Round December 2024.
The Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub was funded by the Victorian State Government Diverse Communities, Mental Health and Wellbeing Grant and is now online here: www.aspect.org.au/resources/new-parents.