Autistic people are more vulnerable to depression, anxiety during pregnancy: Study

ANI |
Updated: October 30, 2022 15:01 IST

cambridge [UK]Oct 30 (ANI): A new study finds that autistic people are more vulnerable to depression Y anxiety during the pregnancy.
The study was published in the journal Autism and Developmental Disorders.
In the study, led by researchers at the Center for Autism Research, 524 non-autistic people and 417 autistic people completed an online survey about their experience of the pregnancy. Anyone who was pregnant at the time of responding or had previously given birth was eligible to participate.

The study revealed that autistic parents were about three times more likely than non-autistic parents to report having experienced prenatal depression (9 percent of non-autistic parents and 24 percent of autistic parents) and anxiety (14 percent of non-autistic parents and 48 percent of autistic parents).
Autistic respondents also experienced lower satisfaction with the pregnancy health care. Autistic respondents were less likely to trust professionals, feel that professionals took their questions and concerns seriously, feel that professionals treated them with respect, and be satisfied with the way information was presented to them at appointments. Furthermore, autistic respondents were more likely to experience sensory problems during the pregnancy and she is more likely to be overwhelmed by the sensory environment of prenatal appointments.
Dr Sarah Hampton, lead researcher on the study, said: “This study suggests that autistic people are more vulnerable to mental health difficulties during the pregnancy. It is imperative that autistic people have effective mental health screening and support during the pregnancy.”
Dr. Rosie Holt, a member of the research team, added: “The results also suggest that autistic people may benefit from adaptations to prenatal health care. These may include adjustments to the sensory environment of health care settings, as well as adjustments in the way information is communicated during prenatal appointments.”
Dr. Carrie Allison, deputy director of the Center for Autism Research and a member of the team, said: “We are grateful to members of the autism community for providing feedback when we designed this research. It is vital that autistic people with lived experience help shape the research we do, and we keep their priorities in clear focus.” (AND ME)