Autistic women's experience of motherhood : A qualitative analysis of Reddit

Journal article

Thom-Jones, Sandra, Melgaard, Imogen and Gordon, Chloe S.. (2024). Autistic women's experience of motherhood : A qualitative analysis of Reddit. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06312-7
AuthorsThom-Jones, Sandra, Melgaard, Imogen and Gordon, Chloe S.
Abstract

Autistic mothers remain under-represented in parental and autism research despite the associated physical and psychosocial challenges that accompany the transition to motherhood. Extant literature suggests autistic mothers experience sensory difficulties, communication challenges, stigma, and comorbidities as difficulties, but these studies have focused on autistic women in the perinatal period. The aim of this study was to examine reflections on motherhood from a Reddit community for autistic parents. Identified themes were Autistic Mothering is Different, Autistic Mothers Need Autistic Mothers, Autistic Mothers Experience Stigma, and Learnings from Lockdown. Findings extend existing research by offering insight into the ways autism impacts mothers beyond the perinatal period and have important implications for the future design and delivery of support services for autistic mothers.

Keywordsautism; autistic women; motherhood; peer support; Reddit
Year01 Jan 2024
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Journal citationpp. 1-11
PublisherSpringer
ISSN1573-3432
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06312-7
Web address (URL)https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-024-06312-7
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1-11
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online26 Apr 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted23 Feb 2024
Deposited09 Jul 2024
Additional information

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024

Place of publicationUnited States
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