Understanding Barriers to Reproductive Health Care among Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This project will examine both reproductive health disparities and OB/GYN health care gaps for 2300 adolescent and adult women with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) receiving care at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, paying particular attention to differences across sociodemographic characteristics, co-occurring psychiatric and physical health conditions, and type and frequency of other interactions with the health care system. We will also characterize the epidemiology of pregnancy and obstetrics care utilization including frequency of recommended prenatal visits, screenings, and perinatal complications among women with ASD compared with a control sample of neurotypical women. Our findings will inform development of strategies for improving provider knowledge, care practices, and effective health care delivery for this vulnerable population.

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