Peer-reviewed article
Facing the COVID-19: A qualitative research on the impact of the pandemic on autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Luque T, Puigdesens A, Hernando N, Santos M, Gárriz C ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative study explores how the COVID-19 lockdown affected children with autism spectrum disorder, their families, and the professionals who support them. The research used focus groups with parents of children with ASD and professionals to understand their experiences, challenges, and learnings during the pandemic. The findings highlight significant difficulties faced by this population during lockdown and identify a need for new intervention models that better respond to the needs of children with ASD and their caregivers. The study emphasizes the importance of listening to parents' experiences when designing services.
Key points
- The lockdown significantly impacted the emotional and social well-being of children with ASD, their families, and professionals
- Both challenges and learning opportunities emerged from the pandemic experience for this population
- Parents' perspectives are essential for understanding the actual demands of patients and caregivers
- New models of intervention with children with ASD and their families are needed
- The study used focus groups with parents and professionals as the primary data collection method
Limitations
The document does not specify which country or countries the study was conducted in, nor does it provide detailed findings or numbers. The abstract does not indicate the size of the sample or specific themes that emerged from the analysis.
Abstract
Introduction Lockdown resulting from the experienced pandemic has had a great influence on the emotional and social well-being of the general population. Specifically, it is known that those with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their caregivers had to overcome several challenges during this period. Moreover, this situation has influenced the professionals who work in this field. Objectives The aim of this study is to describe the impact, the learnings and the challenges that have arisen for the patients with ASD, their families and professionals during the coronavirus outbreak through progenitors’ and professionals’ perceptions. Methods A qualitative research design using focus groups was selected to identify and discuss participants’ experiences, beliefs, perceptions and attitudes. The target population consisted on parents with children with ASD and professionals who work with them. Data was collected via two focus groups. A content was made using the program Atlas.ti to determinate the principal categories and themes that describe the COVID-19 impact. Results Findings widely describe the problems faced and difficulties experienced by this population during lockdown and after it. As well as the challenges, opportunities and learning that this situation has offered. Conclusions Reflections derived from the study manifest the need of thinking about new models of intervention with children with ASD and their families. Greater attention must be paid to parents’ experiences in order to attend to the actual demands of patients and their caregivers contextualized within our current changing situation.