Autism Spectrum Disorder in Postpartum mothers

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Not established postpartum-specific
Is it more common among postpartum mothers? Same underlying autism; postpartum demands may make support needs more visible
Are postpartum mothers at higher risk? No increased prevalence established
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? Very high
Does it show up differently among postpartum mothers? Strong Yes contextually
How might it look different? Sensory overload, disrupted routines, sleep deprivation, infant crying/touch demands, difficulty asking for help
What commonly occurs alongside it? Postpartum anxiety/depression
What can it be confused with? Postpartum anxiety/depression; ADHD; OCD
Common screening tool AQ-10
Separate screening tool for postpartum mothers None
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