Writing

Here is a collection of articles and blog posts where I share insights, research, and reflections on autism, maternity care, breastfeeding, and health equity. Drawing on lived experience and collaborative research, my writing centers Autistic voices, particularly those of Autistic parents, and highlights the challenges and barriers faced in accessing safe, supportive healthcare.
Feel free to explore, learn, and connect over shared interests.

2025 to Present

  • Grant, A. (2025). Why some Autistic people don’t speak. The Conversation

  • Grant, A. (2025). Is pregnancy really different for Autistic people? Jessica Kingsley Blog.

  • Grant, A. (2025). Why it’s time to rethink the notion of an autism ‘spectrum'. The Conversation. Republished: The Independent

  • Grant, Axbey and Ellis (2025). Why menopause may be even tougher for autistic people – and what needs to change. The Conversation.

  • Grant, A. (2025). Everyone isn’t ‘a little bit autistic’ – here’s why this notion is harmful. The Conversation.

  • Ellis, Grant and Craine (2025). Autistic people’s experiences of periods are under-researched – here’s why that needs to change. The Conversation. 

  • Grant, A. (2025). Why the autism jigsaw puzzle piece is such a problematic symbol. The Conversation.

  • Grant, A. (2025). Autistic stimming explained – and why stopping it can lead to burnout.  The Conversation. Republished: The Independent.

  • Grant, A., Griffiths, C and Williams, K (2025). Autistic women face barriers to safe and supportive maternity care – new research. The Conversation.

2017 to 2024

  • Grant, A. (2024). What do Autistic people think about expressing breastmilk? Association of Breastfeeding Mothers magazine.

  • Williams, G., Grant, A. & Holloway, W. (2024). Why Autistic people must be at the heart of autism research. The Conversation.

  • Ellis, R. and Grant, A. (2024). Autism Health Passports do not offer support needed. Mental Health Practice.

  • Ellis, R. and Grant, A. (2023). Autism Health Passports: do they actually help nurses in practice? Nursing Standard.

  • Grant, A. Jones, S. and Brown, A. (2023). Formula preparation machines may not be dispensing hot enough water to kill bacteria. Pregnancy and Parenting Magazine (Ireland)

  • Grant, A. William, K and Griffiths, C. (2023).  How autistic parents feel about breastfeeding and the support they receive – new research The Conversation

  • Grant, A., Brown, A. and Jones, S. (2023).  Baby formula preparation machines might not reach NHS recommended temperatures for killing bacteria – new research. The Conversation.

  • Grant, A. (2023).  The Differences Autistic people may experience when breastfeeding.   UNICEF Baby Friendly

  • Ellis, R. and Grant, A. (2023). No evidence to say whether autism health passports are effective – new research. The Conversation

  • Grant, A. (2023).  Supporting Autistic people during pregnancy: five things that can make a real difference.  Maternity and Midwifery Forum.

  • Grant, A. (2023). Autistic people told me they had questions about pregnancy, birth and beyond, so we answered them! Autistic Parents UK

  • Grant, A. and Williams, K (2023). “Dehumanising policies” leave autistic people struggling to access health, education and housing – new review. The Conversation

  • Grant, A. (2023). Autistic-led research: how to understand Autistic parents’ needs. Maternity and Autism Research Group.

  • Bird, H. and Grant, A. (2022). “Breaking barriers: supporting Autistic people”. Midwives magazine. (available on request)

  • Grant, A. (2022).  Formula feeding does NOT cause Autism.   Autistic UK blog.

  • Grant, A. (2022). How midwives can better support Autistic people.  Maternity and Midwifery Forum.

  • Grant, A. (2022). What does workplace coaching for Autistic people look like? Employment Autism Blog.

  • Grant, A. and Brown, A. (2022). What should you do if you see a baby eating in public? Breastfeeding Network Blog.

  • Grant, A. (2022). Six ways health professionals and peer supporters can help Autistic women meet their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding Network News.

  • Grant, A. (2022). Q&A: Autistic mothers experience ‘exacerbated’ breastfeeding challenges. Healio.

  • Grant, A. and Williams, K. (2022). Autistic Mothers’ experiences of breast- and formula- feeding babies: what does the evidence say?  Autistic UK blog.

  • Grant, A. (2022). Documentary analysis: the research method that can level the playing field.  Transforming Society.

  • Grant, A. and Kara, H. (2022). Autistic researchers inside and outside of academia. Employment Autism Blog.

  • Grant, A. (2022) Smoking and sex: what we can learn from tobacco advertisements. Adam Matthews Blog.

  • Kara, H and Grant, A (2021) Neurodiversity in academia: the autistic advantage in qualitative research. Impact of Social Sciences Blog.

  • Grant, A. (2021). My love/hate relationship with disability kitchen equipment! Lecker.

  • Grant, A. (2021). The legacy of the asthma nurse who really listened to a five-year-old. American Journal of Nursing: Off the Charts.

  • Grant, A. (2018). Breastfeeding outside of the home – a moral challenge for mothers!  Public Health Network Cymru.

  • Grant, A. (2018). How to make public spaces more breastfeeding friendly using evidence from developed countries.  Breastfeeding Network blog. July 20th 2018.

  • Grant, A. (2017). Breastfeeding peer support: what’s available on the ground and where are the gaps?  NCT Perspectives: 37 (December 2017): 40-43.

  • Grant, A.  (2017). Mothers are subject to a postcode lottery for breastfeeding support   NIHR blog. 4.8.17.

  • Grant, A. (2017).Mothers are subject to a postcode lottery for breastfeeding support. The Conversation. 7.7.17.

  • Grant, A. and Overton, L. (2017). Pregnant women and new mothers feel like their health is ‘under surveillance’.  Health and Care Research Wales @Research Wales Magazine: 2: 16-17. May 2017.

  • Grant, A. (2017). Vegan restaurant ban on cows’ milk formula is another way to stigmatise mothers. The Conversation. 10.4.17.

  • Grant, A. (2017). 26 years ago the UK signed up to formula milk advertising rules – so why isn’t it law yet? The Conversation.  22.3.17.

  • Grant, A. (2017).  Pregnant women and new mothers feel like their health is ‘under surveillance’. The Conversation.  20.3.17.

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