Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Use of a Video Scoring Anchor for Rapid Serial Assessment of Social Communication in Toddlers
Published on: March 14, 2018
A Longitudinal Examination of Autism Services, Child Adaptive Functioning, and Parent Quality of Life during the
Joshua Anbar1, Colleen J Sbeglia2, B Blair Braden3
1Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC), 300 N 18th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85006, USA.
Insights
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers showed resilience post-pandemic. Increased service intensity and reduced repetitive behaviors positively impacted caregiver quality of life (QoL).
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Disruptions may have negatively impacted child functioning and caregiver quality of life (QoL).
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in service intensity, child adaptive functioning, and caregiver QoL during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To understand the relationship between service intensity, child behaviors, and caregiver QoL.
Main Methods:
- Online survey administered to 146 caregivers of children with ASD between Summer 2020 and Summer 2021.
- Data collected at four time points to track changes over time.
- Statistical analyses included simple and fixed effects regressions.
Main Results:
- Child adaptive functioning and caregiver QoL improved after stay-at-home orders were lifted.
- Increased service intensity correlated with higher caregiver physical QoL.
- Decreased child repetitive behaviors correlated with improved caregiver social and environmental QoL.
Conclusions:
- Children with ASD and their caregivers demonstrated resilience in the year following pandemic-related stay-at-home orders.
- Service intensity and reduction in child repetitive behaviors are potential targets for enhancing caregiver QoL.
- Findings offer insights for stakeholders and professionals supporting families of children with ASD.
Abstract:
The delivery of services to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was disrupted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which may have affected child functioning and caregiver quality of life (QoL). This study examined changes in service intensity, child adaptive functioning, and caregiver QoL during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 146 caregivers (87% mothers) of children with ASD (M age = 8.22 years; SD = 4.21) who were invited to complete an online survey about service intensity, child functioning, and caregiver QoL at four time points between the summer of 2020 and the summer of 2021. Simple regressions indicated that child adaptive functioning and caregiver QoL increased over time after stay-at-home orders were lifted. Fixed effects regression models indicated that increases in service intensity were associated with concurrent increases in caregiver physical QoL. Decreases in child repetitive behaviors were associated with concurrent increases in caregiver social and environmental QoL. These findings suggest that children and their caregivers demonstrated resilience in the year after stay-at-home orders were lifted. Additionally, service intensity and child repetitive behaviors may impact caregiver QoL, making these variables areas of opportunity for stakeholders and professionals.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
02:20Longitudinal Research
01:26Longitudinal Studies