TY - JOUR
T1 - “This may be a really good opportunity to make the world a more autism friendly place”
T2 - Professionals’ perspectives on the effects of COVID-19 on autistic individuals
AU - Spain, Debbie
AU - Mason, David
AU - J Capp, Simone
AU - Stoppelbein, Laura
AU - W White, Susan
AU - Happé, Francesca
N1 - Funding Information:
We are very grateful to the participants who took part in the study. FH is currently part funded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London.
Funding Information:
We are very grateful to the participants who took part in the study. FH is currently part funded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s)
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/5
Y1 - 2021/5
N2 - Background: The COVID-19 (C-19) pandemic affects everyone. Autistic individuals may be at increased risk of experiencing difficulties coping with the impact of C-19 (e.g. due to unexpected changes to usual activities and routines, and the general sense of uncertainty). This preliminary study gathered the perspectives of health and social care professionals, and researchers, about: (1) vulnerability factors for coping with the pandemic; (2) the impact of the pandemic; (3) service provision during the pandemic; and (4) interventions to support reintegration during and post the pandemic. Method: We conducted an online survey, comprising Likert-scale and free text responses. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data thematically. Results: Thirty-seven participants, working in clinical, education and academic settings with autistic individuals, completed the survey. C-19 had substantially impacted service provision, causing major disruption or loss of services. Thematic analysis indicated six overarching themes: (1) vulnerability factors for coping with C-19 and lockdown; (2) positive and negative impact of lockdown (for autistic individuals, families and professionals); (3) public health response to C-19; (4) service provision during the pandemic; (5) inequalities; and (6) looking to the future. Conclusions: Professionals, across disciplines and settings, must now work together with autistic individuals and their families, to understand the impact of these extraordinary circumstances and develop ways everyone can be supported more effectively.
AB - Background: The COVID-19 (C-19) pandemic affects everyone. Autistic individuals may be at increased risk of experiencing difficulties coping with the impact of C-19 (e.g. due to unexpected changes to usual activities and routines, and the general sense of uncertainty). This preliminary study gathered the perspectives of health and social care professionals, and researchers, about: (1) vulnerability factors for coping with the pandemic; (2) the impact of the pandemic; (3) service provision during the pandemic; and (4) interventions to support reintegration during and post the pandemic. Method: We conducted an online survey, comprising Likert-scale and free text responses. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data thematically. Results: Thirty-seven participants, working in clinical, education and academic settings with autistic individuals, completed the survey. C-19 had substantially impacted service provision, causing major disruption or loss of services. Thematic analysis indicated six overarching themes: (1) vulnerability factors for coping with C-19 and lockdown; (2) positive and negative impact of lockdown (for autistic individuals, families and professionals); (3) public health response to C-19; (4) service provision during the pandemic; (5) inequalities; and (6) looking to the future. Conclusions: Professionals, across disciplines and settings, must now work together with autistic individuals and their families, to understand the impact of these extraordinary circumstances and develop ways everyone can be supported more effectively.
KW - Autism
KW - COVID-19
KW - Health and social care
KW - Health professionals
KW - Telehealth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85102079073&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101747
DO - 10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101747
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85102079073
SN - 1750-9467
VL - 83
JO - Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
JF - Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
M1 - 101747
ER -