In a pioneering examination of the intersection between autism and perinatal mental health, recent research uncovers the nuanced experiences of healthcare professionals working with autistic women and birthing people (AWBP) in community perinatal mental health teams (CPMHTs) across England. This qualitative investigation reveals critical insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by those at the frontline of mental health support during the transformative perinatal period.
Autistic individuals often face increased vulnerability to mental health difficulties during pregnancy and the postpartum period, yet systemic gaps remain in addressing their unique needs. Community Perinatal Mental Health Teams are ideally positioned to provide specialized care during this critical window, integrating mental health support with perinatal care. However, until now, research has scarcely explored how CPMHT staff perceive and manage the complexities associated with supporting AWBP.
Through comprehensive individual interviews conducted with twenty multidisciplinary staff members from four different CPMHT settings, the study employed thematic analysis to distill their experiences, challenges, and insights. These qualitative methods afforded a rich, detailed understanding of the realities faced by healthcare providers navigating the delicate balance of autism-informed care alongside perinatal mental health demands.
One of the major findings highlights the multifaceted challenges staff encounter when working with AWBP. Many professionals described autism as an unexpected aspect of their roles, often feeling unprepared due to insufficient training in neurodiversity. The complexity arises not only from the spectrum of autism presentations but also from the overlay of perinatal mental health disorders, which can obscure and complicate diagnosis, assessment, and intervention strategies.
Moreover, difficulties in obtaining formal autism assessments were frequently noted as a significant barrier, particularly when AWBP have not yet been diagnosed. This lack of diagnostic clarity hampers the development of tailored care plans and limits clinicians’ ability to make informed adjustments. These results underscore a systemic need for more accessible, timely autism assessment pathways within perinatal services.
The study further surfaces the variable levels of autism-specific knowledge among CPMHTs and individual clinicians, highlighting a pressing educational gap. Staff members expressed that understanding autism’s manifestation during the perinatal period is essential for delivering compassionate and effective care. Without this expertise, well-intentioned efforts may fall short, potentially exacerbating stress and mental health challenges for AWBP.
In response to these challenges, participants envisioned several promising avenues for future improvement. One key recommendation is the implementation of targeted, perinatal-focused autism training for all CPMHT staff to build confidence and fluency in neurodiversity-informed practices. Such training would foster an environment where adjustments to care processes become routine, enhancing outcomes for both AWBP and their families.
Beyond training, the study advocates for innovative roles such as the appointment of autism champions within CPMHTs. These champions would serve as in-house experts and advocates, guiding peers in best practices and facilitating communication tailored to the preferences and needs of neurodivergent individuals. This model has potential to bridge existing knowledge gaps and provide continuous support within teams.
Another transformative proposal involves the integration of autistic peer support workers into CPMHTs. Bringing people with lived experience into the fold can humanize care pathways, offering empathy and practical guidance that complements clinical expertise. This peer-led approach aligns with contemporary movements towards co-production in healthcare, emphasizing collaboration between service providers and service users.
The insights also highlight the crucial value of involving individuals with lived experience of both autism and perinatal mental health challenges in the co-production of service improvements. Such collaboration ensures that evolving services are not only clinically sound but also resonant with the real-world needs and preferences of AWBP, fostering dignity, respect, and efficacy.
This research elucidates that addressing the mental health needs of autistic women and birthing people requires a paradigm shift within community perinatal mental health care. It advocates moving beyond generic models to a more nuanced, intersectional approach that acknowledges the specificities of neurodivergence alongside the psychological complexities of childbirth and early parenthood.
Ultimately, the study’s findings underscore that equipping CPMHTs with autism-specific expertise, supported by an infrastructure of ongoing supervision and collaborative improvement, can empower staff to deliver responsive, person-centered care. This approach not only improves clinical outcomes but also contributes to reducing the health inequalities experienced by AWBP during the perinatal period.
As awareness of autism’s implications in perinatal mental health grows, this research signals a critical call to action for policymakers, educators, and healthcare leaders. By investing in targeted training, fostering inclusive team roles, and centering lived experience, community perinatal mental health services can be transformed to better serve a previously overlooked demographic.
The implications of this study are far-reaching, advocating for systemic changes that integrate autism-informed practices into the fabric of perinatal mental health care. Such efforts promise to enhance the wellbeing of autistic women and birthing people, creating support systems that recognize, validate, and respond meaningfully to their complex lived experiences.
In conclusion, this qualitative exploration shines a spotlight on the urgent need for specialized perinatal autism training and comprehensive service redesign to meet the evolving needs of autistic women and birthing people. It offers a roadmap for communities and healthcare systems to move toward more inclusive, compassionate, and effective perinatal mental health care.
Subject of Research: Staff experiences of working with autistic women and birthing people in community perinatal mental health teams
Article Title: “I ask them what autism means for them”: a qualitative study of staff experiences of working with autistic women and birthing people in community perinatal mental health teams
Article References:
Westgate, V., Thompson, C., Caramaschi, D. et al. “I ask them what autism means for them”: a qualitative study of staff experiences of working with autistic women and birthing people in community perinatal mental health teams. BMC Psychiatry 25, 1024 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07497-6
Image Credits: AI Generated
