Abnormal sensory sensitivity during pregnancy, peri-partum and post-partum in mothers with high functioning autism spectrum disorder: A preliminary study

• Published in: European Psychiatry
• Main Authors: V. Nisticò, S. Limonta, R. Faggioli, P. Turrizziani, L. Gianbanco, F. Calistro, A. Priori, B. Demartini, O. Gambini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2021-04-01
• Subjects: Sensory perception; pregnancy; post-partum; High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Online Access: https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821016059/type/journal_article

Introduction Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder without intellectual disabilities (High Functioning ASD, HF-ASD) present atypical sensory sensitivity, due to the hyper-reactivity to sensory inputs. Objectives To retrospectively evaluate the sensory sensitivity in a sample of mothers with HF-ASD during pregnancy (pre-partum), delivery and childbirth (peri-partum) and during the three months after delivery (post-partum). Methods 19 HF-ASD and 13 neurotypical (NT) mothers were asked to complete an ad-hoc questionnaire designed for the study, named Maternity Questionnaire, assessing sensory perception during pre-, peri- and post-partum. Moreover, they underwent the following assessment: the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Empathy Quotient (EQ), the Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R), the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPSD), the Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ) and the Post Partum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ). Results At the Maternity Questionnaire, HF-ASD mothers showed higher sensitivity scores than NT mothers overall. Moreover, HF-ASD mothers presented lower sensitivity during the peri-partum, compared to pre- and post- partum periods, while NT mothers showed a linear decrease from pre- to post- partum. The two groups significantly differed at the AQ, the EQ, the RAADS-R, the SPQ and Factor 3 of the PBQ. Sensitivity during pre- and post-partum positively correlated with EPDS scores. Conclusions Mothers with HFA tend to experience pregnancy, childbirth and the post-partum period differently from neurotypical mothers, particularly in terms of hypersensitivity, although during the peri-partum the hypersensitivity decreases. Further studies investigating these aspects might give fundamental hints to provide proper help to HF-ASD mothers during pregnancy and motherhood overall.