Autism, Therapy and COVID-19

Abstract

While numerous treatments for ASD are available, intervention based on the principles and procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has garnered substantial scientific support. In this study we evaluated the effects of the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, followed by quarantine provisions and during the three months after the resumption of activities. The study was conducted on a group of children taking part on a ABA-based intervention funded by the Local Health Authority (ASL) of the province of Caserta. In this study we considered a sample of 88 children who had been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, aged between 18 and 30 months. The following inclusion criteria were observed: age at the time of diagnosis less than 30 months, absence of other neurological, genetic, or sensorineural pathologies, and severity level 1 measured by symptoms evaluation based on the ADOS 2 module T (used for diagnosis). During the lockdown children experienced improvements in communication, socialization, and personal autonomy. During the three months after the ABA treatment, the acquired skills were maintained but no significant improvement was demonstrated. In this study, we describe how parent training was significant in avoiding delays in the generalization of socially significant behaviors, following the drastic interruption of the treatment in this group of children.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Autism Spectrum Disorder, Consequences to Children and Adolescents — a Systematic Review

“…The domain behavior was addressed in 22 articles, all of which described changes in behavior (Amorim et al, 2020 ; Berard et al, 2021 ; Bhat, 2021 ; Colizzi et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Jacques et al, 2022 ; Kawabe et al, 2020 ; Lugo-Marín et al, 2021 ; Mete Yesil et al, 2022 ; Morris et al, 2021 ; Mumbardó-Adam et al, 2021 ; Mutluer et al, 2020 ; Nuñez et al, 2021 ; Panjwani et al, 2021 ; Polónyiová et al, 2022 ; Rabbani et al, 2021 ; Sergi et al, 2021 ; Tokatly Latzer et al, 2021 ; Türkoğlu et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Vasa et al, 2021 ). Medium level of evidence was observed in eight papers (Berard et al, 2021 ; Bhat, 2021 ; Colizzi et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Nuñez et al, 2021 ; Türkoğlu et al, 2021 ; Vasa et al, 2021 ) and the hypothesis of worsening behavior was confirmed by six articles, Bhat, 2021 ; Colizzi et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Nuñez et al, 2021 ; and Türkoğlu et al, 2021 .…”

“…Medium level of evidence was observed in eight papers (Berard et al, 2021 ; Bhat, 2021 ; Colizzi et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Nuñez et al, 2021 ; Türkoğlu et al, 2021 ; Vasa et al, 2021 ) and the hypothesis of worsening behavior was confirmed by six articles, Bhat, 2021 ; Colizzi et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Nuñez et al, 2021 ; and Türkoğlu et al, 2021 . Most articles (n = 13) observed an resurgence of previous behavioral problems (Berard et al, 2021 ; Bhat, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Mete Yesil et al, 2022 ; Mutluer et al, 2020 ; Nuñez et al, 2021 ; Panjwani et al, 2021 ; Polónyiová et al, 2022 ; Sergi et al, 2021 ; Tokatly Latzer et al, 2021 ; Türkoğlu et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Vasa et al, 2021 ), while others (n = 5) observed the emergence of new behavioral issues (Corbett et al, 2021 ; Mete Yesil et al, 2022 ; Mumbardó-Adam et al, 2021 ; Mutluer et al, 2020 ; Vasa et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The most common changes were observed in patients’ anxiety (Amorim et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ; Lugo-Marín et al, 2021 ; Vasa et al, 2021 ), irritability (Amorim et al, 2020 ; Mumbardó-Adam et al, 2021 ; Türkoğlu et al, 2021 ; Vasa et al, 2021 ); hyperactivity (Mete Yesil et al, 2022 ; Mutluer et al, 2020 ; Panjwani et al, 2021 ; Sergi et al, 2021 ), stress (Corbett et al, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Jacques et al, 2022 ; Kawabe et al, 2020 ), and aggressive behavior (Mutluer et al, 2020 ; Rabbani et al, 2021 ) levels. Eight papers (Berard et al, 2021 ; Bhat, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Mumbardó-Adam et al, 2021 ; Mutluer et al, 2020 ; Sergi et al, 2021 ; Tokatly Latzer et al, 2021 ) reported worsening or the emergence of new stereotyped behaviors, including speaking in a louder tone of voice, pulling their ears, and tics (Mumbardó-Adam et al, 2021 ; Mutluer et al, 2020 ). Compared with control children, patients showed significantly higher changes in behavior (Amorim et al, 2020 ; Corbett et al, 2021 ; Hosokawa et al, 2021 ; Polónyiová et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Communication was investigated in eight papers (Berard et al, 2021 ; Bhat, 2021 ; Morris et al, 2021 ; Mumbardó-Adam et al, 2021 ; Mutluer et al, 2020 ; Rabbani et al, 2021 ; Sergi et al, 2021 ; Tokatly Latzer et al, 2021 ), two of which reached a medium level of evidence, Berard et al, 2021 ; and Bhat, 2021 . Improved communication skills were observed in two articles (Sergi et al, 2021 ; Tokatly Latzer et al, 2021 ), while worsening or delay (Bhat, 2021 ; Mutluer et al, 2020 ; Rabbani et al, 2021 ) and no changes were reported in three of the eight (Berard et al, 2021 ; Morris et al, 2021 ; Mumbardó-Adam et al, 2021 ).…”

The impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families in Tripoli, Libya

“…Experience had shown that the lack of strong collaboration between the health sector, education, social services and nongovernmental organizations, resulted in a more ineffective management of complex emergencies and poor health outcomes for these children. The child's understanding of COVID-19, COVID-19 illness in the family, low family income, and depression and anxiety symptoms in the parent increase the risk for poor mental health during the pandemic [25].…”