Cited by 256COVID-19 and Mental HealthAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

Behavioral Implications of the Covid-19 Process for Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Individuals' Comprehension of and Reactions to the Pandemic Conditions

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Mutluer, Tuba, Doenyas, Ceymi, Aslan Genc, Herdem·2020·Frontiers in Psychiatry

Abstract

During disasters and pandemics, vulnerable populations such as patients with mental conditions are known to be overly influenced. Yet, not much is known about how the individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions globally with a prevalence of 1%, are affected from health-related disasters, especially the current Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we conducted an investigation of how individuals with ASD responded to Covid-19 in terms of comprehension and adherence to implemented measures; changes in their behavioral problems; and how their caregivers' anxiety levels relate with these behavioral changes. Our sample consisted of 87 individuals with ASD (15 girls; ages ranged from 3-29, with an average of 13.96 ± 6.1). The majority of our sample had problems understanding what Covid-19 is and the measures it requires. They also had challenges in implementing social distance and hygiene-related regulations of the pandemic. The majority stopped receiving special education during this period. We observed a Covid-19-related clinical presentation that resembled PTSD in individuals with ASD in terms of increased stereotypies, aggression, hypersensitivity, behavioral problems, and sleep and appetite alterations. All subscales of Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) differed significantly between before and after the pandemic conditions. The number of hours the children slept significantly decreased from before to during Covid-19. The anxiety levels of caregivers were high and correlated with the current behavioral problem levels of their children, but not with the level of their behavioral problems before the pandemic. The difference in ABC total score and specifically the lethargy/social withdrawal subscale score predicted parents' anxiety score. Our results suggest that the Covid-19 period inflicts specific challenges to individuals with ASD and their caregivers, underlining the need for targeted, distance special education interventions and other support services for this population.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.561882

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  • Their reports are in line with findings showing that COVID-19 pandemic increased distress and depression in autistic individuals and decreased their quality of life.

    “Their reports are in line with findings showing that the COVID-19 pandemic increased the level of distress and depression in autistic individuals and decreased their quality of life (Mutluer et al., 2020; Patel et al., 2021).”

    From Feasibility, Acceptability and Preliminary Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Autistic Adults without Intellectual Disability: A Mixed Methods Study (2022) · cites this paper as Mutluer et al., 2020

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports increased distress, stress, and low mood in families with ASD during the pandemic, and worsening behavioral problems in individuals with ASD. It does not establish increased depression in autistic individuals or a decrease in their quality of life; its discussion of increased depression concerns typically developing children, not the ASD sample. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Authors
Mutluer, T., Doenyas, C., & Aslan Genc, H.
Affiliations
Koç University (TR)
Corresponding author
Doenyas, Ceymi
Venue
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Published
2020-11-16
Volume
11
Pages
561882-561882
ISSN
1664-0640 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3100449868
Cited by
256
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 79 · 2021: 55 · 2018: 1
FWCI
18.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Digital Collections portal (Koç University) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, COVID-19 pandemic, behavioral problems, caregiver anxiety, social distancing adherence, hygiene practices, post-traumatic stress disorder, stereotypy, aggression, sleep disorders, Aberrant Behavior Checklist

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