How parents of children with autism spectrum disorder experience the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives and insights on the new normal

Bozkuş-Genç, Gülden; Sani-Bozkurt, Sunagül

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104200

Cited by 25 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Results of his study indicate that both positive and negative consequences can be observed in the psychosocial functioning of people with ASD during the pandemic. The ambiguous impact of lockdown has been confirmed by a number of studies in which individuals with ASD as well as their families indicate both positive effects related to the reduction of social demands and normalization of daily life, as well as a negative impact of the pandemic on their mental health [ 48 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Psychosocial Functioning and the Educational Experiences of Students with ASD during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

Lew-Koralewicz

2022

IJERPH

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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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Psychosocial Functioning and the Educational Experiences of Students with ASD during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

Lew-Koralewicz

2022

IJERPH

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“…They have a detrimental impact on children’s everyday lives and limit their achievements. Due to the increased effort in caring for autistic children and finding ways to cope with their behavioral challenges, parents should be familiar with the environmental impacts ( 23 , 24 ). Autistic children tend to have a dysfunctional sensory system; this sensory processing disorder is perceived as the biggest challenge to surmount ( 25 , 26 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A case study on the effect of light and colors in the built environment on autistic children’s behavior

et al. 2022

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BackgroundThe importance of strategies and services by caregivers and family members substantially impact the psychological and emotional wellbeing of autistic children. The rapid research developments in clinical and non-clinical methods benefit the features of autistic children. Among various internal and external factors, the influence of the built environment also impacts the characteristics of autistic children. This study investigates primarily the psychological effect of light and colors on the mood and behavior of autistic children to identify the most favorable and preferred indoor lights and color shades.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted at an autism center among autistic children and their parents. This study included autistic children aged between 6 and 16 (45 males, 42 females, mean age 8.7 years, standard deviation 2.3). Eighty-seven participants were involved in the survey to determine the sensory perceptions, intolerance, preferences, and sensitivities of children with an autism spectrum disorder toward colors and lighting. The margin of error at the statistical analysis’s 95% confidence level is ± 0.481.ResultsAs per this case report, the children have various color preferences and respond differently to different shades. Different hues have varying effects on autistic children, with many neutral tones and mellow shades proven to be autistic-friendly with their calming and soothing effect, while bright, bold, and intense colors are refreshing and stimulating. The stimulus of bright-lighting causes behavioral changes in autistic children prone to light sensitivity.ConclusionThe insights gained from this interaction with parents and caretakers of autistic children could be helpful for designers to incorporate specific autistic-friendly design elements that make productive interior spaces. A complete understanding of the effect of factors like color and lighting on the learning ability and engagement of autistic children in an indoor environment is essential for designers and clinicians. The main findings of this study could be helpful for a designer and clinicians to address designing an autism-friendly built environment with a color palette and lighting scheme conducive to their wellbeing and to maximize their cognitive functioning.

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“…The limited hours children with ASD have at school or other formal learning institutions may not be able to support the learning and language development phases of children with ASD. The roles played by home and family members in supporting learning development among children with autism are further emphasized by Mendoza, McKeithan, and Griswold (2019) and Boskuz-Genc and Sani-Bozkurt (2022).…”

Section: Home As An Informal Learning Institution and The Roles Of Au...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Parents and family members became more prominent in playing their role as the sole instructors to ensure continuity in the children with ASD's learning development. Various research has been conducted to capture the experiences, challenges and strategies of parents and family members in facilitating learning development of the child with autism in the family (Boskuz-Genc & Sani-Bozkurt, 2022;Heyworth et al, 2021;Hill, Keville & Ludlow, 2021).…”

Section: Home As An Informal Learning Institution and The Roles Of Au...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying English Language Pragmatic Deficits among Children with Autism: Lessons from Fatima’s Home

Rahman¹,

Majid²

2022

AWEJ

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This article addresses a unique language-learning journey of a special child, ‘Fatima’ who is diagnosed with mild autism or Level One Autism Spectrum Disorder. Taking a qualitative perspective, research based on a series of observations and interviews was conducted on Fatima and her caregivers, namely her mother and her two elder siblings. Fatima was primarily diagnosed as having a learning delay, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and hyperactivity but not speech development. This study aims to look at the English language learning difficulties of a child with mild autism who has been diagnosed with no speech development issues. Findings revealed that communicative pragmatic deficits are an obvious limitation displayed by Fatima as she develops in age. Though Fatima exhibits quite proficient use of the English language, she shoulders pragmatic challenges in communication and still has a long way to be communicatively competent as other teenagers her age. In addition, the commitment and support shown by her family members are also key in aiding both her linguistic and social development. It is believed the findings could add to what is already known about second language learning among children with autism as perspectives from a ‘home’ as an informal learning institution were observed and analyzed. Family members could benefit the most, as the salient findings could be a source of reference in strategizing their roles in facilitating the language development of a child in the family diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through an understanding of pragmatic deficits among children with ASD.

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How parents of children with autism spectrum disorder experience the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives and insights on the new normal

Cited by 25 publications

References 26 publications

Psychosocial Functioning and the Educational Experiences of Students with ASD during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

Psychosocial Functioning and the Educational Experiences of Students with ASD during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

A case study on the effect of light and colors in the built environment on autistic children’s behavior

Identifying English Language Pragmatic Deficits among Children with Autism: Lessons from Fatima’s Home

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