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Alehagen L, Bölte S, Black MH. Application of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health in autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A scoping review. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024:13623613241272044. [PMID: 39183470 DOI: 10.1177/13623613241272044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) is a framework designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help different sectors, such as healthcare, social services, education, and policy, understand how people with health-related issues function (do the things they want to and need to do) in their daily lives. This framework has also been used to guide clinical practice and research in autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To make it more practical, shorter versions of the ICF called Core Sets have been developed. We wanted to explore how the ICF and the ICF Core Sets have been used in research relating to autism and ADHD. We looked at the research that had been previously published on this topic by conducting a systematic search and review. Seventy-eight studies meeting our criteria were included in our review. Results show that the ICF has been applied in many ways across various contexts. However, most of the research has focused on autism, mainly involving children. The review highlights that although the ICF was used in some studies, the underlying philosophies of the framework were not always followed. The medical perspective still influenced the way research was done and interpreted. Nevertheless, using the ICF in the right way can help shift research on neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD toward a more holistic approach, moving away from solely focusing on medical aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sven Bölte
- Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Sweden
- Curtin University, Australia
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Totsika V, Kouroupa A, Timmerman A, Allard A, Gray KM, Hastings RP, Heyne D, Melvin GA, Tonge B. School Attendance Problems Among Children with Neurodevelopmental Conditions One year Following the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:2998-3007. [PMID: 37480438 PMCID: PMC11300561 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06025-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present study investigated school absence among 1,076 5-15 year-old children with neurodevelopmental conditions (intellectual disability and/or autism) approximately one year following the start of COVID-19 in the UK. METHODS Parents completed an online survey indicating whether their child was absent from school during May 2021 and the reason for each absence. Multi-variable regression models investigated child, family and school variables associated with absenteeism and types of absenteeism. Qualitative data were collected on barriers and facilitators of school attendance. RESULTS During May 2021, 32% of children presented with persistent absence (missing ≥ 10% of school). School refusal and absence due to ill-health were the most frequent types of absence, accounting for 37% and 22% of days missed, respectively. COVID-19 related absence accounted for just 11% of days missed. Child anxiety was associated with overall absenteeism and with days missed because of school refusal. Parent pandemic anxiety and child conduct problems were not associated with school absenteeism. Hyperactivity was associated with lower levels of absenteeism and school refusal but higher levels of school exclusion. A positive parent-teacher relationship was associated with lower levels of absenteeism, school refusal and exclusion. Child unmet need in school was the most frequently reported barrier to attendance while COVID-19 was one of the least frequently reported barriers. CONCLUSION COVID-19 had a limited impact on school attendance problems during this period. Findings highlighted the role of child mental health in different types of absence and the likely protective role of a positive parent-teacher relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Totsika
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 149 Tottenham Court Road, Maple House 6th Floor, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal, and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
- Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Athanasia Kouroupa
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 149 Tottenham Court Road, Maple House 6th Floor, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Amanda Timmerman
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, 149 Tottenham Court Road, Maple House 6th Floor, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Amanda Allard
- Council for Disabled Children, National Children's Bureau, London, UK
| | - Kylie M Gray
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal, and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Richard P Hastings
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal, and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - David Heyne
- Developmental and Educational Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Glenn A Melvin
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal, and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bruce Tonge
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal, and Research (CEDAR), University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Löthberg M, Hirvikoski T, Girdler S, Bölte S, Jonsson U. Support in Daily Living for Young Adults with Neurodevelopmental Conditions in Sweden: A Qualitative Description of Current Practice. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:3043-3058. [PMID: 37219792 PMCID: PMC10203681 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06014-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In Sweden, people living independently and requiring daily living support can access 'housing support', a form of practical, educational, and social support provided by the municipalities. About two-thirds of those receiving this support have neurodevelopmental conditions, primarily autism or ADHD. Many are young adults in the process of adapting to new roles and expectations in different life domains, including education, work, and accommodation. This study aimed to provide a qualitative description of support workers' views on current practice in housing support for young adults (aged 18 to 29) with neurodevelopmental conditions. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 34 housing support workers across 19 Swedish regions. An inductive qualitative content analysis approach was used. The interviews depicted a complex service, subject to organizational aspects (roles, responsibilities, availability, and allocation), the joint effort of key players (young adults, relatives, and support workers), and practical aspects of service provision (finding common ground for the work, and delivery of support). Some elements of the service were poorly designed for the target group. The support workers expressed a need for more knowledge about neurodevelopmental conditions, but also described new insights related to remote delivery of support. The results raise important questions about how housing support should be organized and delivered to strike the right balance between support and autonomy, meet specific needs, and ensure equal services across municipalities. Future research should adopt multiple perspectives and approaches, to help translate best practice and available evidence into a flexible and sustainable service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Löthberg
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Tatja Hirvikoski
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Habilitation and Health, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sonya Girdler
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Curtin Autism Research Group, Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Sven Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Curtin Autism Research Group, Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Ulf Jonsson
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Thorell LB, Klint Carlander AK, Demetry Y, Marainen L, Nilsson S, Skoglund C. Parental Experiences of Distance Learning in Families with and without an Adolescent with ADHD/ASD: A Large Qualitative Survey Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:388. [PMID: 38673301 PMCID: PMC11049798 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
One of the greatest COVID-19-related challenges for children and their families was managing distance learning due to school closures. We also know from previous research that families with a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder such as ADHD or ASD were struggling more than others but also experienced some positive effects. However, few qualitative studies have been conducted. The present study therefore aimed to investigate parental experiences of the negative and positive effects of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of families with an adolescent with ADHD and/or ASD and a matched comparison group (n = 682). Data were collected through open-ended questions as part of a larger survey study. Five main themes with different sub-themes were identified for both negative and positive effects: (1) Teaching, (2) Social, (3) Support, (4) Child factors, and (5) Home environment. In addition, the main theme "Technical problems" was identified for negative effects. Families with a child with ADHD/ASD reported negative effects related to "Child factors" and "Support" more frequently than the controls, as well as negative effects related to some aspects of "Teaching" and "Technical problems". Regarding positive effects, significant group differences were primarily found for the theme "Child factors". These findings are discussed both in terms of how to best prepare for possible future pandemics, but also of how to best provide educational support for children with ADHD and/or ASD when schools are open.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B. Thorell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Youstina Demetry
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa Marainen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sarah Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Skoglund
- Department of Women and Child Health, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
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Nazari Orakani S, Officer TN, Good G, McBride-Henry K. Systems Are Overstretched from the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Interpretive Description of Disabled People's Access to Healthcare and Disability Support in New Zealand. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:387. [PMID: 38338272 PMCID: PMC10855788 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12030387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare and support services, creating challenges for disabled people. New Zealand implemented a range of policies to prevent and limit viral transmission of COVID-19. This study investigates disabled people's experiences accessing healthcare and disability support services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and based on this analysis, the implications of public health policy decisions on disabled people's experiences during the pandemic in New Zealand are explicated. A qualitative design underpinned by interpretive description methodology guided this study. A total of 64 disabled people or parents of disabled children participated in semi-structured interviews. The team of health services and disability researchers then engaged in an iterative thematic approach to analysis, which led to three key themes: (1) protective personal factors, which assisted disabled people to access healthcare and support services, (2) immediate pandemic policy impacts, including policy and legislative changes, which created additional access barriers for disabled people, and (3) exacerbating factors, including compounding vulnerabilities, overstretched systems, and the impact of the vaccine mandate, which worsened the already limited access to healthcare and disability services for disabled people. The pandemic overwhelmed an already stretched healthcare and disability support system, resulting in service disruptions with negative consequences for disabled people's health and wellbeing. Future policy development needs to be disability-centred in its inclusion of people with lived experience and consideration of the support needs of disabled populations. A first step in this process could include pandemic planning and policy co-design to ensure a continuum of healthcare services and support availability for individuals when services are disrupted. In addition, access to formal and informal support for disabled people should be recognised as a fundamental human right when accessing healthcare and disability support services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Nazari Orakani
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice, Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand; (T.N.O.); (K.M.-H.)
| | - Tara N. Officer
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice, Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand; (T.N.O.); (K.M.-H.)
| | - Gretchen Good
- School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
| | - Karen McBride-Henry
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice, Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand; (T.N.O.); (K.M.-H.)
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Jones MG, Clarke PJ, Meshesha HS, Mulhorn KA, Traci MA, Nieuwenhuijsen ER. COVID-19, Disability, and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: A Scoping Review of Early-Stage Pandemic Response. AJPM FOCUS 2024; 3:100152. [PMID: 38089427 PMCID: PMC10711380 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Introduction This study aimed to systematically identify the environmental factors that impacted people with disability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A scoping literature review was conducted using LitCOVID (January 1-July 31, 2020). Sixty-six articles met the inclusion criteria that (1) discussed disability and/or health conditions related to functioning and (2) considered environmental factors. A qualitative content analysis was conducted using codes from the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Results A total of 212 International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health codes were used in the coding process. The most frequent codes referred to health services policies and public health guidelines. These policies, although generally considered facilitators for minimizing infection, were frequently identified as barriers to the health, participation, and human rights of people with disability. The lack of disability-specific population data was identified as a key barrier to planning and decision making. Conclusions The social determinants of health for people with disability were not adequately considered in the acute phase of infection prevention at the population level. Integrating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in emergency management provides a tool to evaluate functioning and address barriers for those in need.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philippa J. Clarke
- Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Hana Shewamoltot Meshesha
- Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
- Department of Counseling, College of Education, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
- Department of Counseling, Idaho State University, Meridian, Idaho
| | - Kristine A. Mulhorn
- Health Administration Department, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Meg Ann Traci
- Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
- School of Public and Community Health Sciences, College of Health, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
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Gerber AH, Keluskar J, Lerner MD. Longitudinal Impact of the Pandemic on Social Disruption and Loneliness in Autistic and Non-Autistic Youth. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL FOR THE SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY, AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, DIVISION 53 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37956102 PMCID: PMC11089075 DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2023.2272933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The coronavirus pandemic drastically increased social isolation. Autistic youth already experience elevated social isolation and loneliness, making them highly vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic. We examined trajectories of social disruption and loneliness in autistic and non-autistic youth during a six-month period of the pandemic (June 2020 until November 2020). METHOD Participants were 76 youth, ages 8 through 17, (Mage = 12.82, Nautistic = 51) with an IQ ≥ 70. Youth completed a biweekly measure of loneliness (Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale) and their parent completed a measure of pandemic-related family social disruption (Epidemic Pandemic Impacts Inventory). RESULTS There were no time trends in loneliness across all youth, however, social disruption displayed linear, quadratic, and cubic trends. Non-autistic youth reported relatively greater declines in social disruption compared to autistic youth. Additionally, autistic youth reported relatively greater declines in loneliness relative to non-autistic youth. Greater social disruption was associated with higher loneliness, however, autistic youth demonstrated a relatively stronger relationship between social disruption and loneliness compared to non-autistic youth. CONCLUSIONS The current study was one of the first to investigate social disruption and loneliness in autistic youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicated that autistic youth experienced relative decreases in loneliness during this time, perhaps due to reductions in social demands. Nonetheless, when autistic youth did experience social disruption, they reported relatively higher levels of loneliness. This work contributes to our understanding of risk factors for loneliness and highlights the need to understand the benefits, as well as the challenges, to remote schooling and social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan H. Gerber
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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8
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Realpe AX, Mills N, Beasant L, Douglas S, Kenny L, Rai D. Lockdown Experiences and Views on Future Research Participation of Autistic Adults in the UK During the First 6 Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic. AUTISM IN ADULTHOOD 2023; 5:301-310. [PMID: 37663442 PMCID: PMC10468553 DOI: 10.1089/aut.2022.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in large-scale public health restrictions and lockdowns across many countries. There is an increasing literature on the varied impact of such lockdowns in autistic adults. However, there is very little research on how the pandemic and related public health measures may impact the willingness of autistic people in engaging and taking part in research. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore autistic adults' experiences of the COVID-19 lockdown and how the pandemic may affect future research participation. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews with 31 autistic adults between March and July 2020. Transcripts were analyzed thematically within a critical realism framework. Results Participants identified positive aspects of lockdown such as enjoying the lack of social pressures and using their well-developed skills for dealing with uncertainty. Autistic people also shared challenges of adjusting to lockdown, for example, rapid change in daily routines. While hopeful about the freedom gained from easing restrictions, participants were concerned about the inconsistent communication and application of rules during the transition out of lockdown. This may have exacerbated already rising mental health issues among autistic people. The participants viewed research participation and engagement with increased relevance during the pandemic and welcomed efforts to conduct research using online methods of communication. Conclusion The COVID-19 lockdown had a varied effect in the lives and routines of autistic people. However, health care providers and researchers need to be mindful of rising mental health issues in the aftermath of the pandemic, especially for people who were already vulnerable. The response to the pandemic may have offered opportunities for innovation in research processes enabling more autistic people to engage with research and making studies more inclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba X. Realpe
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Mills
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Beasant
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lorcan Kenny
- Autistica UK Charity, London, United Kingdom
- Learning Disability and Autism Programme, NHS England & NHS Improvement, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dheeraj Rai
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Avon and Wiltshire Partnership NHS Mental Health Trust, Bath, United Kingdom
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Sideropoulos V, Van Herwegen J, Meuleman B, Alessandri M, Alnemary FM, Rad JA, Lavenex PAB, Bolshakov N, Bölte S, Buffle P, Cai RY, Campos R, Chirita-Emandi A, Costa AP, Costanzo F, Des Portes V, Dukes D, Faivre L, Famelart N, Fisher MH, Gamaiunova L, Giannadou A, Gupta R, Hardan AY, Houdayer-Robert F, Hrncirova L, Iaochite RT, Jariabkova K, Klein-Tasman BP, Lavenex P, Malik S, Mari F, Martinez-Castilla P, Menghini D, Nuske HJ, Palikara O, Papon A, Pegg RS, Pouretemad H, Poustka L, Prosetzky I, Renieri A, Rhodes SM, Riby DM, Rossi M, Sadeghi S, Su X, Tai C, Tran M, Tynan F, Uljarević M, Van Hecke AV, Veiga G, Verloes A, Vicari S, Werneck-Rohrer SG, Zander E, Samson AC. Anxiety, concerns and COVID-19: Cross-country perspectives from families and individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. J Glob Health 2023; 13:04081. [PMID: 37497751 PMCID: PMC10373111 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.04081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the mental health and well-being of children with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) and of their families worldwide. However, there is insufficient evidence to understand how different factors (e.g., individual, family, country, children) have impacted on anxiety levels of families and their children with NDCs developed over time. Methods We used data from a global survey assessing the experience of 8043 families and their children with NDCs (mean of age (m) = 13.18 years, 37% female) and their typically developing siblings (m = 12.9 years, 45% female) in combination with data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the University of Oxford, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, to create a multilevel data set. Using stepwise multilevel modelling, we generated child-, family- and country-related factors that may have contributed to the anxiety levels of children with NDCs, their siblings if they had any, and their parents. All data were reported by parents. Results Our results suggest that parental anxiety was best explained by family-related factors such as concerns about COVID-19 and illness. Children's anxiety was best explained by child-related factors such as children's concerns about loss of routine, family conflict, and safety in general, as well as concerns about COVID-19. In addition, anxiety levels were linked to the presence of pre-existing anxiety conditions for both children with NDCs and their parents. Conclusions The present study shows that across the globe there was a raise in anxiety levels for both parents and their children with NDCs because of COVID-19 and that country-level factors had little or no impact on explaining differences in this increase, once family and child factors were considered. Our findings also highlight that certain groups of children with NDCs were at higher risk for anxiety than others and had specific concerns. Together, these results show that anxiety of families and their children with NDCs during the COVID-19 pandemic were predicted by very specific concerns and worries which inform the development of future toolkits and policy. Future studies should investigate how country factors can play a protective role during future crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilis Sideropoulos
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, London, UK
| | - Jo Van Herwegen
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society, London, UK
| | - Ben Meuleman
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael Alessandri
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | | | - Jamal Amani Rad
- Department of Cognitive Modeling, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Sven Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paulina Buffle
- Laboratory of Sensori-Motor Affective and Social Development, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ru Y Cai
- Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice, Autism Spectrum Australia, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruth Campos
- Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adela Chirita-Emandi
- Department of Microscopic Morphology - Genetics, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes" Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Andreia P Costa
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Floriana Costanzo
- Child and Adolescents Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincent Des Portes
- National Reference Center for Intellectual Disabilities of Rare causes, Lyon University Hospital, France
| | - Daniel Dukes
- Institute of Special Education, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Laurence Faivre
- Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs, FHU TRANSLAD, INSERM UMR1231, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHU Dijon, Dijon Cedex, France
| | | | - Marisa H Fisher
- Department of Counselling, Educational Psychology, & Special Education, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Liudmilla Gamaiunova
- Institute for Social Sciences of Religions, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Rashmi Gupta
- Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Powai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Antonio Y Hardan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Lenka Hrncirova
- Department of Special and Inclusive Education, Faculty of Education, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | | | - Katarina Jariabkova
- Institute for Research in Social Communication, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Pierre Lavenex
- Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Development, Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Pastora Martinez-Castilla
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Deny Menghini
- Child and Adolescents Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Heather J Nuske
- Penn Center for Mental Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Olympia Palikara
- Department of Education Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
| | - Anouk Papon
- Faculty of Psychology, UniDistance Suisse, Brig, Switzerland
| | - Robin S Pegg
- Williams Syndrome Association, Troy, Michigan, USA
| | - Hamidreza Pouretemad
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Luise Poustka
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ingolf Prosetzky
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Zittau / Görlitz, Görlitz, Germany
| | | | - Sinead M Rhodes
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Deborah M Riby
- Department of Psychology, Centre for Neurodiversity & Development, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Massimiliano Rossi
- Service de génétique HCL, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, CRNL, GENDEV Team, UCBL1, Bron, France
| | - Saeid Sadeghi
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Xueyen Su
- Department of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Claire Tai
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michel Tran
- Faculty of Psychology, UniDistance Suisse, Brig, Switzerland
| | - Fionnuala Tynan
- Faculty of Education, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Mirko Uljarević
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Amy V Van Hecke
- Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Guida Veiga
- Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Alain Verloes
- Department of Genetics, APHP.NUP Robert DEBRE University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonja G Werneck-Rohrer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eric Zander
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea C Samson
- Faculty of Psychology, UniDistance Suisse, Brig, Switzerland
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10
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Song W, Zheng L, Tichá R, Abery B, Nguyen-Feng VN. Leisure Participation of Autistic Adults: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Feasibility Study. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 128:319-333. [PMID: 37470259 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-128.4.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Autistic adults participate less and express lower satisfaction in leisure activities than nonautistic adults, although literature is limited. The multifaceted nature of leisure participation makes it challenging to measure, with most measures being retrospective. Ecological momentary assessments (EMA) can reduce recall bias. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of EMA among autistic adults. Participants (N = 40) were recruited via email and online. After completing a baseline interview, participants were asked to complete a once-daily survey for 30 days, in which they received survey links through a text messaging smartphone app. Surveys asked participants to report whether they participated in any leisure activities during the day, their level of enjoyment, with whom they interacted, and where they participated. The EMA appeared feasible in this sample, as participants completed the daily survey on average 27.05 (SD = 3.92) days. Regarding acceptability, most agreed that survey timing was convenient, that it was easy to enter responses and answer questions daily, and that they had enough response time. Overall, this study supports the use of EMA methodology among autistic adults. Future research should follow and improve upon these EMA data collection practices to examine daily behavior and well-being among autistic adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Wei Song, Temple University and Drexel University
| | | | - Renáta Tichá
- Renáta Tichá and Brian Abery, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
| | - Brian Abery
- Renáta Tichá and Brian Abery, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
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11
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Day TC, Gerber A, McNair ML, Reicher D, Lerner MD. Trajectories of internalizing symptoms among autistic and nonautistic youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Autism Res 2023; 16:1403-1412. [PMID: 37222243 PMCID: PMC10524859 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic elicited increases in anxiety and depression in youth, and youth on the autism spectrum demonstrate elevations in such symptoms pre-pandemic. However, it is unclear whether autistic youth experienced similar increases in internalizing symptoms after the COVID-19 pandemic onset or whether decreases in these symptoms were present, as speculated in qualitative work. In the current study, longitudinal changes in anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in autistic youth were assessed in comparison to nonautistic youth. A well-characterized sample of 51 autistic and 25 nonautistic youth (ageM = 12.8, range = 8.5-17.4 years, IQ > 70) and their parents completed the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), a measure of internalizing symptoms, repeatedly, representing up to 7 measurement occasions from June to December 2020 (N ~ 419 occasions). Multilevel models were used to evaluate changes in internalizing symptoms over time. Internalizing symptoms did not differ between autistic and nonautistic youth in the summer of 2020. As reported by youth themselves, internalizing symptoms decreased in autistic youth, both overall and compared to nonautstic peers. This effect was driven by decreases in generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and depression symptoms in autistic youth. Reductions in generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and depression in autistic youth may be due to COVID-19 pandemic-specific differences in response to social, environmental, and contextual changes that unfolded in 2020. This highlights the importance of understanding unique protective and resilience factors that may be evident in autistic individuals in response to broad societal shifts such as those seen in response to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talena C. Day
- Psychology Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Alan Gerber
- Psychology Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | | | - Debra Reicher
- Psychiatry Department, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
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12
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McBride-Henry K, Nazari Orakani S, Good G, Roguski M, Officer TN. Disabled people's experiences accessing healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:346. [PMID: 37024832 PMCID: PMC10078067 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09336-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disruptions to healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic are well-recognised problems. However, a dearth of research exists on disabled people's experiences with accessing these services. A scoping review was undertaken to identify and explore research on the experience of disabled people in accessing healthcare services between 2020 and 6 February 2023. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and OVID were employed to search for research that included the voice of disabled people, or their parents or caregivers. Over two distinct phases, a total of 2,201 articles were reviewed according to article titles, keywords, and abstracts. Eighty-one studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria; these were reviewed in full. RESULTS Eighteen studies specifically described the experiences of accessing healthcare or disability services, and sixty-three raised healthcare challenges as a secondary consideration. Many disabled people struggled to access healthcare services and felt they were invisible; as a result, individuals' mental health was negatively affected. Disabled people with compounding vulnerabilities were at the most risk of experiencing a lack of healthcare access. CONCLUSIONS There is an urgent need for research and policy that is responsive to disabled people's access to healthcare during the pandemic; currently many health policies are 'disability-blind' and exclude these members of the global community. Furthermore, to assist in creating disability-responsive research, funding needs to prioritise researchers within the disabled community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen McBride-Henry
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Solmaz Nazari Orakani
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Gretchen Good
- School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Tara N Officer
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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13
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Da Costa IGR, Brugnaro BH, Lima CRG, Kraus de Camargo O, Fumincelli L, Pavão SL, Rocha NACF. Perceived Social Support and Quality of Life of Children with and without Developmental Disabilities and Their Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4449. [PMID: 36901463 PMCID: PMC10001514 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social support and Quality of life (QoL) are important aspects of life and should be explored during the specific scenario of the pandemic. AIMS (i) to compare the perceived social support (PSS) in caregivers and the domains of QoL of the caregiver and the child with developmental disabilities (DD) and typical development (TD); (ii) to verify the existence of the association, in each group, between the PSS, and the domain of QoL of the caregiver and the child. METHODS AND PROCEDURES 52 caregivers of children with DD and 34 with TD participated remotely. We assessed PSS (Social Support Scale), children's QoL (PedsQL-4.0-parent proxy) and caregivers' QoL (PedsQL-Family Impact Module). The groups were compared for the outcomes using the Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman's test evaluated the correlation between the PSS and the QoL (child and caregiver) in each of the groups. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS There was no difference between groups for PSS. Children with DD presented lower values in PedsQL total, psychosocial health, physical health, social activities, and school activity. Caregivers of children with TD presented lower values in PedsQL family total, physical capacity, emotional aspect, social aspect, daily activities, and higher value in communication. In the DD group, we found a positive relationship between PSS with child: Psychosocial Health (r = 0.350) and Emotional Aspect (r = 0.380), and with family: Total (r = 0.562), Physical Capacity (r = 0.402), Emotional Aspect (r = 0.492), Social Aspect (r = 0.606), Communication (r = 0.535), Concern (r = 0.303), Daily Activities (r = 0.394) and Family Relationships (r = 0.369). In the TD group, we found that PSS was positively associated with Family: Social Aspect (r = 0.472) and Communication (r = 0.431). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite both groups presenting similar PSS, there are important differences in QoL between them. For both groups, greater levels of perceived social support are associated with greater caregiver-reported in some domains of the child's and caregiver's QoL. These associations are more numerous, especially for the families of children with DD. This study provides a unique view into the relationships between perceived social support and QoL during the "natural experiment" of living through a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Gansella Rocha Da Costa
- Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Helena Brugnaro
- Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Resende Gâmbaro Lima
- Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Olaf Kraus de Camargo
- CanChild, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 1C7, Canada
| | - Lais Fumincelli
- Department of Nursing, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvia Letícia Pavão
- Department of Prevention and Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba 80060-000, PR, Brazil
| | - Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira Rocha
- Child Development Analysis Laboratory (LADI), Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos 13565-905, SP, Brazil
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14
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Bölte S. A more holistic approach to autism using the International Classification of Functioning: The why, what, and how of functioning. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:3-6. [PMID: 36330803 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221136444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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15
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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Autistic Adults: a Scoping Review. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS REPORTS 2023; 10:92-122. [PMID: 36741810 PMCID: PMC9887236 DOI: 10.1007/s40474-023-00268-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions have had a significant impact on people's everyday lives, including the lives of Autistic adults. We aimed to (a) synthesise all papers currently published on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic adults and (b) identify lessons for the care and support of Autistic adults in pandemic and post-pandemic times. Recent Findings Fifty-five papers met the inclusion criteria. Most studies focused on the pandemic's impact on the wellbeing of Autistic adults. Several studies focused on the use of (telehealth) services or the risk of COVID-19 infection/hospitalisation. Summary Autistic adults were significantly impacted by the pandemic, both directly as indicated by higher COVID-19 infection and hospitalisation rates, but also indirectly due to severe service disruptions and social restrictions. Even though there were large differences observed both between as well as within individuals in terms of the negative/positive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, most studies reported a negative effect on Autistic adults' mental health. We draw several lessons from this review for the future care and support of Autistic adults, all of which must be underpinned by participatory research methods, that is, where Autistic community members are actively involved in setting research questions, testing the acceptability of the methods and interpreting and disseminating the results. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40474-023-00268-6.
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16
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Bolbocean C, Rhidenour KB, McCormack M, Suter B, Holder JL. Resilience, and positive parenting in parents of children with syndromic autism and intellectual disability. Evidence from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on family's quality of life and parent-child relationships. Autism Res 2022; 15:2381-2398. [PMID: 36196501 PMCID: PMC10092377 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Family quality of life (FQoL) outcomes collected during the first year of COVID-19 has been combined with 2018 data to estimate the outbreak's impact on parental outcomes on a sample of 230 families with syndromic autistic children and those with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Despite challenges imposed by the COVID-19 outbreak, our study found that FQoL outcomes reported by participating parents during the first year of COVID-19 appears to be similar to ratings from a prepandemic study of families with the same conditions. Parents of children in our sample generally displayed a stable functioning trajectory as measured by the validated FQoL instrument. Across syndromic autistic groups considered, families reported that their relationships with their children were positive. Our findings provide evidence of families' resilience which might explain the presence of positive parent-child interactions during COVID-19. Exploring mechanisms which would explain how families with autistic and ID children confront, manage disruptive experiences, and buffer COVID-19 induced stress is a fruitful direction for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corneliu Bolbocean
- The Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Maria McCormack
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bernhard Suter
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jimmy Lloyd Holder
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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17
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Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, Alhawamdeh R, Qaraghuli S. Effects of COVID-19 on children with autism. World J Virol 2022; 11:411-425. [PMID: 36483100 PMCID: PMC9724198 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v11.i6.411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects all countries and populations worldwide, significantly impacting people with autism with a high risk of morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19. Approximately 25% of children with autism have an asymptomatic or symptomatic immune deficiency or dysfunction. In addition, they frequently have various comorbid conditions that increase the severity of COVID-19. In addition, severe COVID-19 during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism in the offspring. Furthermore, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 could target human nervous system tissues due to its neurotrophic effects. The COVID-19 pandemic intensely impacts many patients and families in the autism community, especially the complex management of autism-associated disorders during the complete lockdown. During the complete lockdown, children with autism had difficulties coping with the change in their routine, lack of access to special education services, limited physical space available, and problems related to food and sleep. Additionally, children with autism or intellectual disabilities are more liable to be abused by others during the pandemic when the standard community supports are no longer functioning to protect them. Early detection and vaccination of children with autism against COVID-19 are highly indicated. They should be prioritized for testing, vaccination, and proper management of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. In this review, we discuss the various effects of COVID-19 on children with autism, the difficulties they face, the increased risk of infection during pregnancy, how to alleviate the impact of COVID-19, and how to correct the inequalities in children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Beltagi
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Alghrabia, Egypt
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center, Arabian Gulf University, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center, Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Nermin Kamal Saeed
- Department of Medical Microbiology Section, Pathology Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, Manama 12, Manama, Bahrain
- Department of Microbiology Section, Pathology Department, Irish Royal College of Surgeon, Busiateen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain
| | - Adel Salah Bediwy
- Department of Chest Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Alghrabia, Egypt
- Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain
- Department of Pulmonology, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, Manama 26671, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Rawan Alhawamdeh
- Research and Development Department, Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Neuropsychologist, Genomics Development and Play Center (Genomisc WLL), 0000, Manama, Bahrain
- Research and Development Department, Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Neuropsychologist, Sensory Middle East (SENSORYME DWC-LLC), 282228 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samara Qaraghuli
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad 14022, Baghdad, Iraq
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Correale C, Falamesca C, Tondo I, Borgi M, Cirulli F, Truglio M, Papa O, Vagnoli L, Arzilli C, Venturino C, Pellegrini M, Manfredi V, Sterpone R, Grimaldi Capitello T, Gentile S, Cappelletti S. Depressive Anxiety Symptoms in Hospitalized Children with Chronic Illness during the First Italian COVID-19 Lockdown. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:1156. [PMID: 36010047 PMCID: PMC9406639 DOI: 10.3390/children9081156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 is continuing to spread around the world, having a direct impact on people's daily lives and health. Although the knowledge of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population is now well established, there is less information on its effect on specific and vulnerable populations, such as children with chronic illness (CI). We conducted a multi-centered cross-sectional study among pediatric patients in six public children's hospitals in Italy during the first lockdown, with the aim of assessing the proportion of children with CI presenting anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the clinical and demographic characteristics affecting such symptomatology. We included children with at least one chronic condition, with no cognitive delay, aged between 11 and 18 years. Brief standardized questionnaires were administered during medical scheduled visits to screen anxiety and depressive symptoms. We found a very high proportion of children showing mild to severe depressive and anxiety symptomatology (approximately 68% and 63%, respectively). Our results highlight the need of ensuring tailored psychological interventions to protect children with CI from the effect of the pandemic (and related restrictive measures such as quarantine and social distancing), with the final aim of promoting mental health and psychological well-being in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Correale
- Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (I.T.); (T.G.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Chiara Falamesca
- Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (I.T.); (T.G.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Ilaria Tondo
- Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (I.T.); (T.G.C.); (S.C.)
| | - Marta Borgi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (F.C.)
| | - Francesca Cirulli
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (M.B.); (F.C.)
| | - Mauro Truglio
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
| | - Oriana Papa
- Children’s Neuropsychiatric Ward, Regional Pediatric Hospital “G. Salesi”, 60123 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Laura Vagnoli
- Pediatric Psychology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy; (L.V.); (C.A.)
| | - Cinzia Arzilli
- Pediatric Psychology, Meyer Children’s Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy; (L.V.); (C.A.)
| | | | - Michele Pellegrini
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico—Giovanni XXIII, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Valentina Manfredi
- Psychology Unit, A.O. S.S. Antonio Biagio and C. Arrigo Hospital, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (V.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Rossella Sterpone
- Psychology Unit, A.O. S.S. Antonio Biagio and C. Arrigo Hospital, 15121 Alessandria, Italy; (V.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Teresa Grimaldi Capitello
- Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (I.T.); (T.G.C.); (S.C.)
| | | | - Simona Cappelletti
- Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, 00146 Rome, Italy; (C.F.); (I.T.); (T.G.C.); (S.C.)
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19
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Lew-Koralewicz A. Psychosocial Functioning and the Educational Experiences of Students with ASD during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159468. [PMID: 35954828 PMCID: PMC9368499 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Due to their individual developmental and learning needs, adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) benefit from a variety of educational, medical, and therapeutic services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these services were discontinued or significantly reduced, which may have resulted in increased difficulties in coping with various areas of life. The purpose of this study was to explore how the pandemic affected the psychosocial and educational functioning of students with ASD. A qualitative, problem-focused interview method was used. The obtained material was subjected to interpretive phenomenological analysis. The study involved 10 secondary school students diagnosed with ASD. The assessment of the effects of the pandemic on the functioning of people with ASD is inconclusive. The respondents noted both negative and positive effects of lockdown. On the positive side, they were able to spend time with their family, isolate themselves from difficult social relationships and feel better. Among the negative effects, adolescents point to difficulties in emotional functioning—increased levels of stress and anxiety, as well as increased feelings of loneliness and difficulties with online education. The study showed the varied experiences of young people with autism during the pandemic, highlighting the significant need to support some of them in terms of their emotional, social and educational functioning.
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