This qualitative study with 6 autistic adults in the UK explored lived experiences of menstruation, revealing three global themes: sense of self (sensory overload, anxiety, brain fog), attributional work (triggers and contexts), and reclaiming orderliness (pragmatic strategies). Findings demonstrate that menstruation poses specific, significant challenges for autistic individuals that impact self-care, productivity, and leisure occupations.

Results

The paper presents a figure with three primary themes, and multiple subthemes. I found this figure slightly difficult to align with the text, so I am going to present the results as the authors describe them in the body of the article. The first theme was titled ‘sense of self’. First this theme explored how menstruation negatively impacted thoughts and feelings, including worries about leaking, capacity to access bathrooms and exacerbation of usual emotional sensitivity. Next it considered the sensory issues linked to menstruation, including finding appropriate clothing and the physical sensation of blood loss. Functionally some participants said they would cancel plans, particularly leisure activities, as a way to manage anxiety and sensory overload they were experiencing. Finally, this theme explored how changes to executive function impacted participant’s abilities to complete regular ADLs like cooking meals.

The second theme that emerged from the data was titled ‘attributional work’. This them explored how in order to reduce stress linked to unpredictability of periods. Many participants reported that the closely tracked their menstruation with some saying this helped to reduce anxiety as they had more of an idea when their mood was being affected by hormones or when their period would be due. All participants said they had at various stages in their lives used the contraceptive pill to gain control.

The final theme was ‘reclaiming orderliness’. Suitable clothing and access to adequate bathrooms were common reasons that participants reported changing their plans when menstruating. Anxiety surrounding trust in sanitary products was reported by all participants. No participants reported receiving support to manage any of the difficulties they described.

Practical Takeaways

While this study focused specifically on autistic adults and didn’t explore whether similar concerns exist among neurotypical individuals or those with other diagnoses, it offers valuable insights into menstruation-related challenges that may affect the children we work with. The findings highlight specific areas where autistic teenagers might benefit from additional support during this transition. As paediatric OTs, understanding these potential concerns can help us better prepare and support the adolescents we work with as they navigate menstruation.

This qualitative phenomenological study explored perspectives of 8 parents of autistic daughters regarding menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. Seven themes emerged including inadequate medical expertise, parental dependency, intensified sensory experiences, limited menstrual awareness, product preferences, parental feelings, and strategies that worked, demonstrating significant challenges parents face. These align quite a lot with the findings of Bowden’s study I have just discussed.

https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2025.051339 This cross-sectional study using 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health data with 1,483 children ages 3-17 with developmental delays found that oral health problems were significantly associated with food insufficiency. Poor maternal mental health and low-income households were strongly associated with food insufficiency, highlighting interrelated determinants affecting nutrition. This is probably not something we will have direct ability to change as occupational therapists, but it’s something we should be mindful of.

This study developed and validated the Toileting Function Classification System (TFCS) for children with cerebral palsy through a six-phase approach including expert consultation, stakeholder consensus, and reliability assessments. The TFCS provides a reliable framework with five levels for documenting toileting functions, the statistical analysis achieving substantial to almost perfect agreement between those who were consulted (weighted kappa values ranging from .61 to 1.00).