Why
Healthcare practitioners currently lack evidence-based guidance for supporting Autistic women during the pre and postnatal period. Initial research suggests that Autistic women face challenges during this period such as heightened sensory issues, increased risk of prenatal depression and anxiety, and a higher likelihood of experiencing a caesarean section, along with lower satisfaction with the prenatal experience. These experiences differ from those of non-Autistic individuals, making it important to study this specific group.
Women with disabilities, including autism, face an
elevated risk of coexisting health conditions during pregnancy, leading to
poorer maternal and infant outcomes compared to those without disabilities.
These women are more susceptible to complications like hypertension, diabetes and preterm birth. Given the communication challenges many Autistic adults
encounter with healthcare professionals, the struggle to receive proper care
can result in ongoing physical and mental health issues.
What are the experiences of Autistic women during pregnancy and in early parenthood? How can healthcare practitioners provide more effective support to women during this time?
The research
APEX – Autistic Pregnancy and Early Parenthood Experiences and Support – is a team of Autistic and non-Autistic researchers, practitioners and advisors that is exploring how to provide better healthcare experiences and support for Autistic women in pregnancy and early parenthood.
Find out more
Publication
Love, A.M.A., Cai, R.Y., Rideout, B., Hollenberg, L., Clapham, H., McKeown, G., Edwards C., Robinson, A., Benzie, C., & Gibbs, V. (2025) Stories of Competence, Challenges, and Coping: The Experiences of Australian Autistic People During Pregnancy and Early Parenthood. Autism in Adulthood.
Presentations
Project lead, Dr Abbey Love and research participants, Hayley Clapham and Lee Squires discussed this project and their lived experiences with healthcare professionals at The Women's Grand Round December 2024.
Key media
- Media release: Aspect launches Australia's first pregnancy and parenthood hub for Autistic people
- ABC News: How people with autism cope with pregnancy (25 June 2025)
- ABC News: New online resource launched for mothers with autism (25 June 2025)
- Mouths of Mums: Australia’s First Pregnancy And Parenthood Hub For Autistic People Launched (25 June 2025)
- Health Services Daily: New pregnancy, birth and early parenting resource for autistic people and health practitioners (25 June 2025)
- The Medical Republic: New perinatal and parenting hub for autistic people and their GPs (26 June 2025)
Making a difference
An outcome of this research was the development of the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub, a first-of-its-kind online resource to support Autistic parents and expectant parents, and to help healthcare professionals better understand and support Autistic people during pregnancy and early parenthood.
Research team
Dr Abbey Love, Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP)
Dr Ru Ying Cai, ARCAP
Dr Chris Edwards, ARCAP
Dr Vicki Gibbs, ARCAP
Charlie Benzie, La Trobe University
Cherise Smith, The Royal Women's Hospital
Prof Della Forster, La Trobe University
Bronwyn Rideout, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington
Started
2024
Ends
2026
Funding
Victorian State Government (FR-14372) Diverse Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants Program
auDA Foundation 2023 Community Grants
The Woodend Foundation