Many caregivers of autistic people experience mental health issues, and the impact of disruptions due to COVID-19 may present additional challenges for these individuals. This study characterized caregiver stress, anxiety, and resilient coping during COVID-19 and investigated the impact of COVID-19 disruptions, demographic variables, and resilient coping on mental health. The majority of caregivers reported some degree of disruption associated with COVID-19, and more than half reported moderate levels of stress and high anxiety. Resilient coping did not emerge as a moderator between COVID-19 disruptions and caregiver mental health, but instead had a direct effect on outcomes. Future research is needed to understand additional factors impacting the mental health of caregivers of autistic people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience a range of biopsychosocial vulnerabilities that can increase the possibility of adverse life outcomes, including a heightened risk of suicidality. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of caregivers of children and youth with FASD and suicidality, including their perceptions of their child and youth's suicidal experiences. Between March and June 2021, six comprehensive, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five caregivers of children and youth with FASD (Mage = 14.5 years, range 11–22) who were currently experiencing suicidality or had a history of suicidality. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and then developed into a composite vignette informed and organized by the social-ecological suicide prevention model (SESPM). The composite vignette revealed the narratives of families living with and caring for children and youth with FASD who experience suicidality in relation to the complex and intersectional individual, relational, community, and societal level contextual and protective factors. Findings from this study highlight the critical need for comprehensive FASD-informed suicide prevention and intervention approaches to promote the mental health and wellbeing of children and youth with FASD and their caregivers.

Autistic youth are at heightened risk for mental health issues, and pandemic‐related stressors may exacerbate this risk. This study (1) described caregiver‐reported youth mental health prior to and during the pandemic; and (2) explored individual, caregiver, and environmental factors associated with changes in autistic characteristics, social–emotional symptoms, and overall mental health. 582 caregivers of autistic children (2–18 years old) completed an online survey between June and July 2020 in which they provided demographic information, their child's pre‐COVID and current mental health, autistic characteristics, and social–emotional symptoms. Caregivers also rated their own perceived stress, and COVID‐related household and service disruption. According to caregivers, youth experienced more autistic characteristics and social–emotional concerns during the pandemic. Autistic youth were also reported to experience poorer overall mental health during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Older youth whose caregiver's indicated higher perceived stress and greater household disruption were reported to experience more autistic traits during pandemic. Caregiver‐reported increases in youth social–emotional symptoms (i.e., behavior problems, anxiety, and low mood) was associated with being older, the presence of a pre‐existing mental health condition, higher caregiver stress, and greater household and service disruption. Finally, experiencing less household financial hardship prior to COVID‐19, absence of a pre‐existing psychiatric condition, less caregiver stress, and less service disruption were associated with better youth pandemic mental health. Strategies to support the autistic community during and following the pandemic need to be developed. The developmental‐ecological factors identified in this study could help target support strategies to those autistic youth who are most vulnerable to mental health problems.

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Purpose Camouflaging, or the use of strategies by autistic people to minimize the visibility of their autistic traits in social situations, is associated with stress, autistic burnout, depression, and suicidality among autistic adults. However, little is known about how autistic children and adolescents experience camouflaging, limiting our understanding of its onset and development. The present study filled this knowledge gap by examining camouflaging behaviour among autistic children and adolescents using a photo-elicitation approach.Methods Eight autistic children and adolescents aged 10 to 14 years (M = 11.88, SD = 1.89) attended an orientation session and were given two to three weeks to take photographs on the topic of camouflaging. Individual interviews were conducted with each participant about their photos. Inductive thematic analysis and an interpretive engagement framework were used to identify major themes within participant interviews and images.Results Qualitative analysis identified 12 themes reflecting motivations to camouflage (as a response to negative social experiences, as a learned habit), contexts of camouflaging (e.g., the audience), strategies and behaviours used to camouflage (suppressing autistic stimming behaviour, hiding the self), and perceived consequences of camouflaging (internal conflict, stress, needing time to recharge).Conclusion Results highlight that autistic children and adolescents as young as 10 years old engage in camouflaging behaviour which can be pervasive and automatic, and that this can be a stressful, confusing, and energetically draining experience. Better understanding of the development and experience of camouflaging in childhood can inform prevention of mental health concerns in adulthood.