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Parental Views of Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Disorders During the COVID-19

Bekir Fatih Meral1,2

  • 1Beach Center On Disability, University of Kansas, Haworth Hall, Room 3102, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS, 66045-7534, USA. bfmeral@gmail.com.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|May 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted families with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Turkey. This study explored both the positive and negative effects of pandemic-related lockdowns on family functioning for these children.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic, declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in December 2019, introduced unprecedented global challenges.
  • Concepts like pandemics and lockdowns became central to daily life, profoundly affecting various societal aspects.
  • Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disorders (DD), along with their families, are particularly vulnerable to such widespread societal changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the family functioning of children with ASD in Turkey.
  • To provide a comprehensive understanding of how pandemic-induced lockdowns influenced families with ASD children, considering both adverse and beneficial outcomes.
  • To highlight the unique challenges and adaptations experienced by families navigating the pandemic with children diagnosed with ASD.

Main Methods:

  • A mixed-method evaluation approach was employed to gather data.
  • The study focused on children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the Turkish context.
  • Data collection likely involved qualitative and quantitative measures to assess family functioning during the pandemic.

Main Results:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic presented both challenges and opportunities for family functioning among children with ASD in Turkey.
  • Lockdown measures associated with the pandemic had discernible positive and negative effects on family dynamics and child well-being.
  • Specific areas of family functioning, such as routines, support systems, and child engagement, were significantly altered.

Conclusions:

  • The pandemic's impact on families with ASD children necessitates tailored support strategies and interventions.
  • Understanding the dual nature of pandemic effects (positive and negative) is crucial for developing effective family-centered care.
  • Future research should continue to explore resilience and coping mechanisms in families with ASD during public health crises.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderCOVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemicFamiliesMixed-method evaluation

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