ERIC Number: EJ1382494
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jul
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: N/A
A Qualitative Exploration of Autistic Mothers' Experiences I: Pregnancy Experiences
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v27 n5 p1271-1282 Jul 2023
Pregnancy may pose a number of physical and healthcare-related challenges for autistic people, who experience differences in sensory processing and can face barriers to accessing healthcare. However, little research has explored autistic pregnancy experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 autistic and 21 non-autistic women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Thematic analysis revealed that the autistic group experienced heightened sensory and physical symptoms during pregnancy compared with the non-autistic group. Autistic participants were sometimes reluctant to disclose their diagnosis to healthcare professionals and felt that professionals lacked autism knowledge. While both groups appreciated clear information about their care, autistic participants further highlighted the need for detailed information and being given time to process verbal information. The autistic group also highlighted the need for sensory adjustments in healthcare settings. The findings indicate ways in which prenatal healthcare can be improved for autistic people, including sensory and communication adjustments. There is a need for greater autism-related training for prenatal healthcare professionals to ensure that autistic people receive appropriate support.
Descriptors: Pregnancy, Mothers, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Barriers, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Self Disclosure (Individuals), Allied Health Personnel, Knowledge Level, Access to Information, Perceptual Impairments, Interpersonal Communication, Patients, Needs, Foreign Countries, Emotional Response, Social Influences, Physiology, Psychological Patterns
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States; United Kingdom; Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A