THE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVES
Loading...
Date
2022-07-25
Authors
Amirova, Aida
CohenMiller, Anna
Sandygulova, Anara
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Abstract
The COVID-19-related lockdown interrupted children’s learning progress
and discontinued social learning and regular activities that children with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rely on socially and physically. Negative
consequences for children with ASD were reported far and wide. To
investigate this problem in Kazakhstan, we conducted a mixed-methods
study that drew on data from an online survey with 97 parents and semistructured
interviews with 14 parents. While parent-report quantitative results
suggest that children were likely to experience negative impacts of the
pandemic due to disrupted educational and therapeutic services, qualitative
findings confirm that they have experienced an elevated mental health
and behavioral challenges during the lockdown. Remote educational and
therapeutic services were not helpful as families coped with pandemic-caused
problems on their own. We highlight that continued support and care during
and after a crisis is vital not only for children with ASD but also for the families
under-resourced mentally and socially.
Description
Keywords
Type of access: Open Access, autism (ASD), children, parents, pandemic (COVID-19), online, inclusion
Citation
Amirova, A., CohenMiller, A., & Sandygulova, A. (2022). The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of children with autism spectrum disorder: Parents’ perspectives. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.913902