A baby needs feeding. Lunch is sitting untouched. There’s another appointment to prepare for but even getting up from the couch hurts.
Pregnancy and early parenthood can change how a person moves, rests, processes information and gets through the day. Familiar routines may no longer work. Activities that once felt straightforward can take more energy, planning or support.
For Autistic people, these changes can come with additional challenges. This is where occupational therapy can make participation easier and improve the quality of life of pregnant people and new parents.
What is occupational therapy?
In a recent episode of the Science of Motherhood podcast, Jennifer Curtis, Senior Occupational Therapist and Registered Midwife at the Royal Women’s Hospital, helps clear up a common misunderstanding: occupational therapy is about so much more than occupations or work. It refers to the everyday activities that occupy our time.
Occupational therapists look at the relationship between a person’s participation in everyday activities and their health. That can mean helping people find practical ways to do the things they need and want to do, particularly when their needs, routines or environment have changed.
How can occupational therapy help during pregnancy and early parenthood?
During pregnancy and early parenthood, an occupational therapist may help a new parent with strategies to support:
- everyday routines
- sensory demands
- moving around the home
- attending healthcare appointments
- caring for a baby.
The aim is to find practical approaches that fit the individual parent and their circumstances. That could involve changing how a task is done, adjusting the environment, using equipment, receiving information in a more accessible format or sharing a task with someone else.
How can occupational therapy help Autistic pregnant people and new parents?
Many Autistic people already have strategies that help them manage everyday life. Pregnancy and early parenthood can disrupt those strategies by introducing new routines, environments, sensory experiences and demands.
An occupational therapist can help identify what is working, what is becoming difficult and what could make daily activities more manageable. For some parents, that might mean receiving information in a different format. For others, it may involve planning for appointments, reducing sensory overload or developing ways to communicate needs and preferences.
Rest can be part of the plan too. An occupational therapist can look at where someone's energy is going and whether pain, fatigue, stress or sensory demands are making particular activities harder.
The right support will look different for each person because every parent, family and situation is different.
Why Participation Matters
The theme for Occupational Therapy Week 2026 is Participation Matters.
During pregnancy and early parenthood, participation may look like:
- feeding or bathing a baby with less overwhelm
- getting to an appointment
- going out in the community with the baby
- preparing something to eat
- keeping a routine that helps new parents feel like themselves.
Occupational therapy resources for Autistic pregnant people and new parents
For more practical ideas on how occupational therapists can help new parents participate, visit the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub to explore:
- The Science of Motherhood podcast episode: How OTs are helping neurodivergent mothers navigate the system.
- An information sheet, developed by The Royal Women's Hospital that explains how occupational therapy can support pregnancy and early parenthood, who the service may be helpful for and what to expect at the first appointment. An Easy Read version is also available.
- An information sheet, developed by the Royal Women’s Hospital that provides simple advice on preventing falls in hospital, moving around safely while recovering from birth and keeping babies safe from falls. An Easy Read version is also available.
- In this video, Autistic mother, Kimmi explains how her support team, including an occupational therapist helped her regulate after the birth of her son.
Common questions about occupational therapy
When might occupational therapy be helpful?
You might consider occupational therapy when sensory demands, changes in routine or your environment are making everyday activities more difficult or less safe. An occupational therapist can work with an Autistic parent to understand what is becoming difficult, build on strategies that already work and explore practical adjustments that fit their individual needs.
How do I choose an occupational therapist who is right for me?
When choosing an occupational therapist, it can be helpful to have a conversation with them about their approach to neuroaffirming care. This can help you understand their knowledge of autism and whether their approach feels right for you. Some practices, like Neuroinclusion (Victoria and WA), employ neurodivergent occupational therapists or have a special interest in supporting neurodivergent people.
Some hospitals, like The Royal Women’s Hospital (Melbourne) have a dedicated unit that provides care (including occupational therapy) for pregnant women with a disability, including autism.
Of course, occupational therapists can help Autistic people at all life stages. Aspect’s occupational therapists work with individuals and their support networks to develop a support program that best meets the individual’s goals. Find out more or enquire about accessing occupational therapy.
This article provides general information and is not a substitute for advice about your individual healthcare needs. Speak with a qualified health professional about your circumstances.
