Long-term Memory of Sensory Experiences from the First Pregnancy, its Peri-partum and Post-partum in Women with Autism Spectrum Disorders without Intellectual Disabilities: A Retrospective Study
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Published:2023-11-15
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Volume:
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ISSN:0162-3257
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Container-title:Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
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language:en
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Short-container-title:J Autism Dev Disord
Author:
Demartini Benedetta, Nisticò VeronicaORCID, Limonta Serena, Tarantino Vincenza, Stefanelli Giulia, Calistro Federica, Giambanco Laura, Faggioli Raffaella, Gambini Orsola, Turriziani Patrizia
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
To explore the recalled experience of pregnancy and motherhood in women diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) without intellectual disabilities, focusing on sensory perceptions and mood.
Methods
We retrospectively evaluated, through an ad-hoc structured interview, the sensory sensitivity during the pre-partum, the peri-partum, and the post-partum of thirty-three mothers with ASD and thirty-two neurotypical mothers. Participants also underwent a psychometric assessment about autistic traits, general sensory sensitivity, and post-partum depressive symptomatology.
Results
Mothers with ASD recalled a higher sensitivity than the comparison group across the three time-points; however, during the peri-partum their recalled hypersensitivity decreases, and in the post-partum it returned as high as before childbirth. The difference in the length of recall between groups did not statistically influence our results. Higher levels of autistic traits correlated with higher depressive post-partum symptomatology.
Conclusions
Mothers with ASD seem to recall their experience of pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum period differently from neurotypical mothers, particularly in terms of hypersensitivity. The correlation with depressive symptoms and the potential role of oxytocin and of long-term memory (encoding and recollection) are discussed. Further exploring these aspects might give fundamental hints to provide tailored support to mothers with ASD during pregnancy and motherhood.
Funder
Università degli Studi di Milano
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Developmental and Educational Psychology
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