Autistic people are often missing from conversations about pregnancy and parenthood – but the launch of a new hub aims to put them front and centre.
Peak body Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) has launched a first-of-its-kind online resource to support autistic people during these life stages.
Called the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub, it offers accessible, evidence-informed information for expectant and new parents, as well as tools to help healthcare professionals better understand and support autistic patients during this important life stage.
Co-designed hub
Autistic people often feel misunderstood, unsupported, or even traumatised by maternity care that does not accommodate their sensory or communication needs, so the hub fills a significant gap.
Initial research by ARCAP supports existing studies that show Autistic individuals are more likely to experience prenatal anxiety and depression, are at higher risk of medical complications, and frequently report lower satisfaction with the maternity care they receive. Many also face difficulty accessing appropriate postnatal support, with communication barriers contributing to negative or even unsafe experiences.
The new Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub was co-produced over 16 months by the Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP) with an advisory team of autistic and non-autistic researchers, practitioners and individuals, informed by the lived experience of autistic parents.
Dr Abbey Love, research fellow at ARCAP, said the launch of the hub marks an important step toward improving outcomes for autistic parents and their babies.
“The hub offers validation, guidance and connection for autistic parents, while also helping health professionals learn how to deliver care that is respectful, inclusive and safe,” she said.
Hub a ‘turning point’
The hub features real-life stories from autistic parents, practical strategies for managing appointments, sensory-friendly birthing options and videos that explore common challenges and strengths in early parenting.
It is also designed to serve as a training tool for clinicians and midwives who want to learn more about providing inclusive care, with three free training modules available on the hub.
For many Autistic women, the hub is a turning point in how they’re seen and supported.
Kim Gerlach, an autistic parent who contributed to the research project said the biggest challenge was mostly to do with the medical team.
“Learning all about what is needed and required for a baby is complicated, there is so much medical terminology to learn. At the same time, I was having to try and work out what to expect from appointments,” she said.
“I often felt like I was speaking a different language to my healthcare team. The lights were too bright, the sounds were overwhelming and I didn’t always feel understood.
“Preparing for parenthood is daunting enough, let alone being autistic and trying to be heard in a healthcare environment that is fast-paced and one size fits all. Knowing there’s now a resource to equip and support other Autistic parents means the world to me.”
Meanwhile, healthcare professionals have welcomed the hub as a practical, accessible way to improve their understanding and care practices.
“We want to support autistic patients better but don’t always know how. The hub provides real insights and guidance that help us deliver care that’s more respectful, empowering and effective,” said Dr Charlie Benzie, Senior Lecturer in midwifery at LaTrobe University.
View the Aspect Autistic Pregnancy and Parenthood Hub at www.aspect.org.au/resources/new-parents