Facing Change and Uncertainty: Lessons Learned from Autistic Children and their Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a great challenge for individuals around the globe, and particularly for vulnerable populations such as autistic children. This qualitative study explored the experience of autistic children (both verbal and minimally verbal) and their families during the pandemic in...
| Published in: | Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders Vol. 56; no. 4; pp. 1559 - 1573 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
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Springer Nature
Apr2026
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=192345547&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 192345547 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 01623257 AUT jtl: Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders issn: 01623257 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Apr2026 vid: 56 iid: 4 pid: 237 pub: Springer Nature place: New York, New York artinfo: ui: 192345547 181244929 192345547 192345547 10.1007/s10803-024-06656-0 192345547 ppf: 1559 ppct: 14 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Facing Change and Uncertainty: Lessons Learned from Autistic Children and their Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic. aug: au: Mgaieth, Farah Palmer, Melanie Charman, Tony Simonoff, Emily affil: https://ror.org/0220mzb33 Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK sug: subj: Autism Spectrum Disorder Psychosocial Factors COVID-19 Pandemic Psychosocial Factors Parents Psychosocial Factors Mental Health Human Male Female Child Semi-Structured Interview Qualitative Studies Child Behavior Disorders Psychosocial Factors Anxiety Disorders Psychosocial Factors Developmental Disabilities Complications Communication Social Isolation Psychosocial Factors Telemedicine Utilization Support, Social Psychosocial Factors Grounded Theory Purposive Sample Funding Source Family Relations Child, Preschool Videoconferencing Thematic Analysis Exploratory Research Age Factors Sex Factors Ethnic Groups Data Analysis Software Child: 6-12 years Child, Preschool: 2-5 years Male Female ab: The COVID-19 pandemic presented a great challenge for individuals around the globe, and particularly for vulnerable populations such as autistic children. This qualitative study explored the experience of autistic children (both verbal and minimally verbal) and their families during the pandemic in August-October 2020 through the lens of 18 parents recruited from an opportunistic follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Findings revealed that the pandemic was detrimental to the mental health of most parents. School closures, disrupted routines and concerns of the virus were believed by parents to be particularly responsible for increased in their child's behaviour that challenges and anxiety, resulting in changes in acquired skills and development of tics for some. However, other parents reported that increased one-to-one interaction with their child improved their social interaction and communication. Additionally, families felt more able to cope with the situation when supported by their partner, support services and schools. The findings highlight the challenges and benefits experienced by families with an autistic child during the pandemic. They provide valuable insights into potential areas that warrant attention when preparing for future emergencies. Enhancing our ability to respond to the needs of autistic children and their families, and establishing policies that can support their well-being should be prioritised to effectively address future challenges. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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