ERIC Number: EJ1401934
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2047-3869
EISSN: EISSN-2047-3877
Parent Observations about the Impact of COVID-19 on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Turkey
Yazici, Sedat; Oksev, Birgül Koçak; Demirarslan, Pinar Çelebi; Ugurlu, Mahir; Nazik, Aysenur
International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, v69 n6 p835-844 2023
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that people with disabilities are the most vulnerable, neglected and discriminated individuals at times of emergency. National and international studies are needed to understand the extent to which the general well-being, quality of life, and positive and negative behaviors of children with ASD are affected during the pandemic. Methods: This study explores the impact of COVID-19 on the typical behaviors of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by focusing on quantitative observation findings obtained from their parents and caregivers. In order to explore the effects of three months of pandemic restrictions during the initial period, 103 parents and caregivers were asked to describe significant behavior changes in their children with ASD comparing before and during the pandemic period. Results: The results showed that children were negatively affected in 21 of 32 typical ASD traits. However, a significant number of participants also reported positive changes in several of their children's social and communicative behaviors as shared family time increased during the pandemic. This finding alone was not statistically supported. However, when it was coupled with the variable of access to online education assistance, it was concluded that the two variables together reduced the negative impact on children. Additionally, we found a sex difference in the impact of COVID-19 on children with ASD. The test results and mean scores show that girls were affected either more negatively or more positively than boys. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the negative effects of a natural disaster such as COVID-19 may be decreased when family members cooperatively share their responsibilities, spend more time with their children with ASD, and use distance education support services.
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, Parent Attitudes, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavior Change, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Family Relationship, Child Behavior, Gender Differences, Parent Child Relationship, Distance Education, Students with Disabilities, Foreign Countries, Check Lists, Scores
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Turkey
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A

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