Health experiences of families with children with autism during the pandemic

Health experiences of parents of children and young adults with autism during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Summary: People with autism spectrum disorders may have had difficulty understanding the changes that occurred during the pandemic due to their symptomatic characteristics, changes in daily routines, and barriers to accessing healthcare. A quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire survey aimed to explore the burden on families. The results showed an increase in the emergence of symptoms and challenging behaviors. Using adaptive care responsive to the individual and the condition's characteristics was difficult at several points. The results point to shortcomings in the adaptive capacity of the healthcare system, but the changes brought about by the epidemic should also be considered when assessing the results.