Dr Catina Adams & Dr Abbey Love 'Neuro-affirming practice for doulas'
Neuro-affirming practice for doulas : Learnings from Autistic pregnancy research
Dr. Catina Adams will present her current research, which aims to identify the parenting support needs of neurodivergent parents. Dr. Love will present findings and resources from her recent study on the experiences of Autistic individuals during pregnancy and early parenthood. The presentation will highlight neuro-affirming practice recommendations informed by lived experiences and research.
Dr Catina Adams
Catina Adams is a doula, midwife and a nursing academic. She coordinates the Child, Family, and Community Nursing course and is the Postgraduate Nursing Discipline Lead. She was awarded her PhD in October 2022, asking how the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health program supports women experiencing family violence. Her research interests include Neurodivergence, Family Violence, Perinatal anxiety, Child, Family, and Community nursing practice, father- and non-birth-parent inclusive practice, and family-centred care.
Dr Abby Love
Dr Abbey Love is an Educational Psychologist working as a Research Fellow for the Aspect Centre for Autism Research (ARCAP). She is a lecturer, teacher and advocate who focuses her work on supporting professionals who work with Autistic people. Her research agenda emphasizes applied, co-produced studies, with projects exploring Autistic experiences of pregnancy and parenthood, individualized planning in education, policing, and improving mental health by understanding loneliness and social connections.
