A comparative study of autistic and non-autistic women's experience of motherhood.
A L Pohl, S K Crockford, M Blakemore and 2 others
PMID 31911826WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic mothers reported higher rates of depression and isolation, and found communicating with professionals difficult.
However, 86% still described motherhood as rewarding, and 96% prioritised their child's needs above their own.
Key findings
01Autistic mothers were significantly more likely than non-autistic mothers to experience prenatal and postnatal depression.
02Most autistic mothers found communicating with professionals difficult and anxious, leading to reluctance to disclose their autism diagnosis.
03Despite challenges, the majority of autistic mothers reported motherhood was rewarding and they prioritised their child's needs.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study is exploratory and relies on self-reported data. The non-autistic comparison group consisted only of mothers with autistic children, which may not represent the general population. Recall bias is possible as many participants had older children and adolescents. The sample was predominantly from Western countries and required literacy and computer access, limiting generalisability. No validated measure of postpartum depression was used.
Declared interests
The study was funded by CAMBS & PETERBOROUGH NHS FOUND TRUST (FB NHS/NIHR).
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the high rates of depression and isolation as evidence that autistic women are inherently poor parents. The study highlights systemic barriers and lack of support, while also showing that most autistic mothers find parenting rewarding and prioritise their children's needs.