Analysis of Quality of Life of Autistic Students on the Canary Islands during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Educational Response Offered

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the closure of educational centers, forcing the teaching–learning process to become virtual at all levels of the educational system. The main objective of this study was to describe and analyze how students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents perceived their quality of life and the educational response offered during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted with 50 students with grade 1 ASD, aged 8–11 years, and their parents. The methodology used was qualitative and descriptive, with semi-structured, individual interviews. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA 2020 program. The results show that students with ASD state that they need social contact and that the fact of not experiencing it, as occurred during the COVID-19 situation, had a negative impact on their perception of their quality of life, as well as the perception of their parents, significantly affecting their emotional well-being. Likewise, it was detected that both students with ASD and their parents perceived that the educational response was inadequate during that period.