Research Studies

Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Parenting in Women with ASD

I am a Women's Heath Nurse Practitioner working at The University of Pennsylvania and a mother of a lovely daughter, (age 13), with PDD-NOS. I have been asked to co-author a chapter (for a nursing textbook) about trying to address the special needs of women with ASD during pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting. This topic is near and dear to me as I am in the profession and have a daughter who has special needs of her own. As any mother can attest, birth is a challenge to any woman let alone someone who has challenges with sensory processing as well as difficulties with reading social cues, body and spoken language.

I would like to interview as many mothers and mothers-to-be (with ASD) as possible as I feel they will provide us (medical providers) with the most important information about the sensory, communication, social-interaction challenges that they experience to help us become more attuned to their needs and provide a caring environment that will help them through this time in their lives.

The interview can be conducted in person, by telephone or via email and will take approximately 30 minutes. Participants and their responses will remain anonymous.

If anyone is interested or would like to find out more I can be reached at 215-852-9896 or at

Thank you.

Karen Lecks, MSN, CRNP