scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Containment Measures on Families and Children with Moderate and High-Functioning ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 783
Author(s):  
Margarita Saliverou ◽  
Maria Georgiadi ◽  
Dimitra Maria Tomprou ◽  
Nataly Loizidou-Ieridou ◽  
Stefanos Plexousakis
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
The Impact

The present study focuses on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) transmission prevention measures and, in particular, home confinement of families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Greece. It is assumed that the implemented new measures during the pandemic constitute a profound change for children on the spectrum, considering that the core ASD symptoms include the persistence and adherence to routine and stability, a condition that also directly affects the children’s parents. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted. Participants were 10 caregivers with a child diagnosed with ASD of medium or high functioning in Greece. The ages of the children range from 6.5 to 15 years old. The results of the thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (1) the educational framework, (2) the management of daily life, and (3) the construction of the new daily routine. These three themes represent the levels that have undergone a decisive transition, and the sub-themes recommend the areas, individual ways of dealing with this shift. So far, the impact of the pandemic mitigation measures cannot be described as generally positive or negative, as there have been advances and setbacks for children and families alike. Finally, governmental measures and technology-assisted teaching (distance learning) were considered necessary but not sufficient enough for full adaptation.

Executive Functions in Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle I. Brady ◽  
Donald H. Saklofske ◽  
Vicki L. Schwean ◽  
Janine M. Montgomery ◽  
Keoma J. Thorne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Adults With Autism ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Normative Expectations ◽  
The Impact

Researchers have proposed that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized, at least in part, by executive function (EF) difficulties associated with the integrity of the frontal lobe. Given the paucity of research regarding EFs in young adults with high functioning ASD (HF-ASD), this research involves an examination of various indices of EF related to inhibition, planning, and generativity. Results indicate that although young adults with HF-ASD as a group met normative expectations on all measures of EF, they also exhibited considerable individual variability relative to their age- and sex-matched typically developing peers. These findings have important research and clinical implications, including the need to carefully consider the impact of the research comparison group, and to recognize individual variability in executive functioning among young adults with HF-ASD.

scholarly journals A Study on the Implications of COVID-19 Pandemic on Families with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 28-41
Author(s):  
Menezes Ida Sylvia ◽  
K. T. Shwetha ◽  
Laveena D’Mello
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Risk Measures ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: In the exceptional disruption and social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, households round the arena are confronted with questions of ways their youngsters can thrive in those conditions. The ever-present demanding situations for kids with unique fitness needs such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the disaster relay particular problems due to terrible influences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A sample of 30 parents of children with ASD has been included in the study during the second wave of the pandemic. Parents have been asked to fill out self-report questionnaire through Google form. Findings: Researcher has tried to understand the vulnerability of ASD individuals, the associated co-morbidity, challenges encountered, turmoil on daily routine, unreached therapeutic modalities and the stressors. The role of healthcare facilities during the pandemic like COVID -19, the measures taken to ease the burden of ASD community has been studied. The benefit of online services and tele-health during pandemic along with its significance and positive benefits has been identified. It is the best medium of practice for people with limited resources trying to reach efficient behavioural health professionals through technology. Interstate and international opinions and differential diagnosis always remained incomplete as people have no resources to reach the best, pandemic has strengthened the connectivity and collaboration to individuals in need and made it possible. Originality: The efforts to prioritize the need of the vulnerable community and their responsibilities in reintegrating them into society with risk measures have been weighed. The impact on the overall growth and development and on the psychological realm has been identified with its outcome and the management. What best can be offered and done during the relevant crisis and what measures need to be taken has been deeply observed. Paper type: Research Case Study.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review on the Impact of the Social Confinement on People with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1389
Author(s):  
Yurena Alonso-Esteban ◽  
María Fernanda López-Ramón ◽  
Verónica Moreno-Campos ◽  
Esperanza Navarro-Pardo ◽  
Francisco Alcantud-Marín
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Adults With Asd ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had imposed a variety of containment measures on the general population for prolonged periods. Confinement has had, and still has, social, economic, educational, health, and psychological consequences on the entire population. Objective: In this article, a systematic search has been performed based on studies carried out since the beginning of the pandemic, regarding the impact of these containment measures on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) population and their caregivers. Method: We consulted six databases (i.e., PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct) and selected ten studies that met the inclusion criteria. The chosen studies have been classified according to their theoretical focus, methodology, and target population. Results: We found an increase in stress and a decrease in psychological well-being among individuals diagnosed with ASD (i.e., parents and caregivers). Additionally, in studies focused on children, youth, and adults with ASD diagnosis, the results are contradictory depending on variables such as age, ASD severity, or type of family structure. Conclusions: The results show that the consequences of quarantine and social confinement are quite contradictory and depend on variables such as age, ASD severity, and family features.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Improving Adaptive Behavior and Motor Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1726
Author(s):  
Leonardo Zoccante ◽  
Michele Marconi ◽  
Marco Luigi Ciceri ◽  
Silvia Gagliardoni ◽  
Luigi Alberto Gozzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Parental Distress ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Equine Assisted

Equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) have been suggested to improve adaptive behavior, and possibly motor function, in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study investigated the effects of EAAT on adaptive behavior and motor function in 15 children with ASD (13 males) aged 7–15 years as well as the impact of EAAT on the magnitude of stress in the parent–child system and the evolution in the child interaction with both the trained therapist and the therapeutic animal through the 20 weekly sessions of EAAT. EAAT were associated with greater adaptive behavior and coordination (all p ≤ 0.01) as well as a progressive improvement in the child’s abilities to respond to the increasing complexity of such form of positive behavioral support (all p < 0.001). However, EAAT did not prove to be effective in reducing parental distress. Collectively, preliminary evidence presented here may have important public health implications and gives reason to hope that EAAT could possibly be an effective option in ASD, warranting further investigation of its potential benefits in clinical trials among larger samples.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adaptive Functioning, Behavioral Problems, and Repetitive Behaviors of Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Observational Study

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Martina Siracusano ◽  
Eugenia Segatori ◽  
Assia Riccioni ◽  
Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti ◽  
Paolo Curatolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Repetitive Behaviors ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Adaptive Skills ◽  
The Impact

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families have represented a fragile population on which the extreme circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak may have doubly impaired. Interruption of therapeutical interventions delivered in-person and routine disruption constituted some of the main challenges they had to face. This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on adaptive functioning, behavioral problems, and repetitive behaviors of children with ASD. In a sample of 85 Italian ASD children (mean age 7 years old; 68 males, 17 females), through a comparison with a baseline evaluation performed during the months preceding COVID-19, we evaluated whether after the compulsory home confinement any improvement or worsening was reported by parents of ASD individuals using standardized instruments (Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (Second Edition), Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised). No significant worsening in the adaptive functioning, problematic, and repetitive behaviors emerged after the compulsory home confinement. Within the schooler children, clinical stability was found in reference to both adaptive skills and behavioral aspects, whereas within preschoolers, a significant improvement in adaptive skills emerged and was related to the subsistence of web-delivered intervention, parental work continuance, and online support during the lockdown.

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