Neurodiversity in the perinatal period
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of neurodiversity on parents with perinatal mental health problems
IRAS ID
355008
Contact name
Andrew Surtees
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This project aims to understand how neurodiversity affects the journey of birthing people/ expectant birthing people with perinatal mental health problems.
One of the key challenges for perinatal mental health teams is meeting the demands of the large number of patients with complex mental health needs in the community and the small number of patients with acute needs requiring inpatient support. Our methods optimise this real-world context. We will recruit birthing people who have been referred for perinatal mental difficulties and birthing people who do not have perinatal mental health difficulties, using low intensity remote data collection across a longitudinal period. Data collected will involve information from neurodevelopmental surveys and a mental health survey. Before finalising our methods, we will recruit a patient Experts by Experience (EBE) steering group to consult on tolerability, adaptations, and importance to service users.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0846
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jan 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion