Research Study: Sensory Experiences of Autistic Mothers During Pregnancy & Childbirth

In 2023, together with my occupational therapy doctoral students, I created a small research project to learn more about the sensory experiences of Autistic mothers in the early parenting years. One of the students in this group was interested in learning more about this population and decided to focus her doctoral capstone project on the sensory experiences of Autistic mothers again, but this time specifically during the pregnancy and birth experiences.

Here’s a note from my student, Brooke Geske:

“For my capstone project, I had the opportunity to talk with Autistic mothers about their sensory, physical, and mental health experiences during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. These interviews gave me an inside look at what neurodivergent individuals experience during these major life transitions.

The women’s stories were powerful. Some mothers talked about sensory overwhelm, others shared how difficult it was to communicate their needs in healthcare settings, and many described feeling misunderstood or unsupported. But there were also moments of strength, self-discovery, and advocacy that stood out.

I hope that this project highlights how important it is for healthcare providers and support systems to better understand and accommodate neurodivergent parents. Listening to these stories isn’t just helpful,  it is necessary if we want care to be truly inclusive and affirming.”

Take a look at the information we’ve compiled based on our research here.