England (Commonwealth Union) – Close to 1% of the global population are believed to have autism, which can manifest itself with a wide variety of symptoms that include difficulty to communicate with others, repetitive behaviors and gastrointestinal issues.
A new study conducted by the University of Cambridge has revealed that autistic people have higher vulnerability to depression and anxiety during pregnancy. The study was published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and will have a significant impact in care for autistic people during pregnancy.
Researchers at the Autism Research Centre led the study, where 524 non-autistic individuals and 417 autistic individuals carried out an online survey related to their experience during pregnancy. All individuals who were pregnant at the time of responding or had given birth on a prior occasion were eligible for participation.
The research demonstrated that autistic parents were around three times more likely than non-autistic parents to show indications of experiencing prenatal depression and anxiety. Autistic participants also showed less satisfaction with pregnancy healthcare. They had a lower chance of trusting professionals, feel that professionals took their questions and concerns seriously, feel that professionals treated them respectfully, and be satisfied with how information was presented to them in appointments.
What’s more, autistic participants had a higher chance of experiencing sensory issues during pregnancy and a greater chance of feeling overwhelmed by the sensory atmosphere of prenatal appointments. “It is important that more research is conducted looking at the experiences of autistic new parents, who have been neglected in research,” Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre and part of the research team, said.
Professor Baron-Cohen further indicated that it was also essential that these findings are translated into health and social care policy and practice to ensure these parents get the support and adaptations they need in a timely manner.
