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Considering the Impact of Neurodivergence on the Perinatal Experience with Ruth Jenks.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this training staff will be able to:
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Demonstrate a greater understanding of Autism and Neurodivergence
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Identify one-way practice can be adapted to improve the perinatal experience for Neurodivergent people within this trust.
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Demonstrate understanding of at least one common misconception/ stereotype relating to Neurodivergence and explain a more accurate reality of Neurodivergence.
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Identify at least one medical condition that is more common in the Neurodivergent population than in the neurotypical population.
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Name and/or demonstrate one way to support regulation in a dysregulated Autistic person.
Overview of the Session
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Autism- medical vs social model
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Q&A
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Small group work - 1
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Break
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Other neurodivergence
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Common co-occurring conditions
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Intersectionality
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Small group work - 2
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Q&A
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Small Group Work - 1​
Scenario 1
Freddy is a first-time mother in active labour.
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She agrees with everything you suggest or offer.
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You note that her eyes are very wide and her hands are trembling. Her heart rate is high.
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Her labour is progressing very slowly and she really seems to be struggling to cope.
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What might Freddy be experiencing?
How could you support?
Scenario 2
Kemi enters your unit in active labour. They appear highly agitated.
You attempt to help settle them in their room. You offer the usual obs. Kemi shouts that they DO NOT want to be touched. You calmly explain that they do not have to be touched but attempt to explain what you'd like to do and why.
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Kemi begins to sob and shake. They respond to your attempts to calm them with increasing volume and agitation.
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What might Kemi be experiencing?
How could you support?
Scenario 3
Amina gave birth three hours ago. Initially, she seemed in love with her baby and excited about entering motherhood.
In a short space of time, Amina becomes distant, and silent, her expression seems blank.
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Her baby cries and Amina doesn't respond. You kindly suggest a few ways she could soothe her baby and she doesn't respond.
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What might Amina be experiencing?
How could you support?
Scenario 4
Tamika presents in early labour at term.
Tamika is coping well. Urinalysis shows very high levels of keotones.
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When you ask Tamika when she last ate she can't remember.
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What might Tamika be experiencing?
How could you support?
Useful Videos
Monotropism
Double Empathy Problem
Videos from the Autism Adult Train the Trainers Tier 4 - Improving access and involvement of Autistic people in inpatient mental health facilities.
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Narrated by: Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate
Scientific Directors: Dr Georgoa Pavlopoulou, Dr Ruth Moyse & Professor Richard Mills
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In Partnership with the Anna Freud Centre
Small Group Work - 2​
Study 1
Epidural use in labour, over-the-counter pain medication and the gestational parent's diet have all been linked to a greater chance of having Autistic children.
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Why do you think this might be?
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Qiu et al 2020, Shaw (2013) and Peretti et al (2018)
Study 2
Increased ultrasound in early pregnancy has been linked with the increase in dyslexia diagnosis.
Why do you think this might be?
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Hande, P, (1995)
Study 3
Maternal diet has been linked to ADHD in the child, in particular, eating a "healthy" diet, low in processed food decreased the incidences of ADHD.
Why do you think that might be?
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Sinn, N. (2008)
Recommended Reading & Signposting
Research
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Pregnancy and Parenthood Among Autistic Adults: Implications for Advancing Maternal Health and Parental Well-Being (McDonnell & DeLucia, 2021)
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Autistic women’s views and experiences of infant feeding: A systematic review of qualitative evidence (Grant, Jones, Williams et al, 2022)
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A Qualitative Exploration into the Sensory Experiences of Autistic Mothers (Talcer, Duffy & Pedlow, 2021)
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What Is Autistic Burnout? A Thematic Analysis of Posts on Two Online Platforms (Mantzalas et al, 2022)
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Autistic mothers’ perinatal well-being and parenting styles (Hampton et al, 2022)
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“They Don't Know, Don't Show, or Don't Care”: Autism's White Privilege Problem (Onalwu, 2020)
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‘‘I’m the Family Ringmaster and Juggler’’: Autistic Parents’ Experiences of Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Heyworth et al, 2022)
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‘I felt like I deserved it because I was autistic’: Understanding the impact of interpersonal victimisation in the lives of autistic people (Pearson, Rose & Rees, 2022)
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A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice (Pearson & Rose, 2021)
Books
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Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults: A Guide for Autistic Wellbeing - by Dr Luke Beardon
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Autism in Adults: Overcoming Common Problems - by Dr Luke Beardon
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Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement - Stories from the Frontline - by Steven K. Kapp - Free Download
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Spectrum Women—Autism and Parenting - by Jurkevythz et al, 2020
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The Secret Life of Rose: Inside An Autistic Head - by Rose & Jodie Smitten
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Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking - edited by Julia Bascom
Online Resources
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Autistic Parents UK - Eventbrite Webinars with guest speakers
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FB Group for Breastfeeding Support - Autistic Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, and Bodyfeeding Parents
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Video by Dr Aimee Grant: Supporting Autistic people to meet their breastfeeding goals
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Article by Joanna Grace - Dealing with Differences in Autism
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Article by Dr Aimee Grant - Six ways health professionals and peer
supporters can help Autistic women
meet their breastfeeding goals -
Article by Aucademy - Glossary of Autistic Terms
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Website resource by Fergus Murray - Monotropism
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Autistic Voices on the Twitter hashtag - #actuallyautistic
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Resource list from Kieran Rose, The Autistic Advocate - Autism Resources
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LBGT Foundation Website report download - Improving Trans and Non-binary Experiences of Maternity Services (ITEMS) report
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The National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit report download - MBRRACE-UK: Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK
APUK Resources
We are currently creating a number of resources for Autistic parents and professionals and others who support Autistic parents. We hope to be able to offer resources on many different topics and in many different formats. Please contact us if there is anything in particular you would find useful. We will send out regular updates to subscribers and post on our Facebook regularly with updates.
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