How have youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder managed quarantine derived from COVID-19 pandemic? An approach to families perspectives

Quarantine derived from COVID-19 pandemic has challenged children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families daily life and routines. Because of these children unique needs related to manage uncertainty and overcoming situations, an in-depth approach to how they navigated through quarantine urged to better comprehend their current support needs. Forty-seven families with a child with ASD ranging in age between 2 and 17 years old (M = 7.3, SD = 3.4) from the north of Spain responded to an online developed questionnaire on different aspects of their daily life management of quarantine. Most of the families stressed that their offspring better drove quarantine than expected. Some families reported that youth participated more often in families' routines and were more communicative with their parents. Families, beyond some difficulties aroused, had more time to qualitatively spend with their children to teach new skills as autonomy or house care related skills. Families also developed new strategies to manage quarantine, such as structuring their days, using visual supports or new technologies for learning or leisure, and found more useful in this effort their family cohesion, online contact with relatives, and having online psychological supports.

Automated summary

Children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have shown unexpected adaptability and positivity during quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families played a crucial role in addressing challenges, spending more quality time with their children to foster growth and development through teaching. New strategies such as structuring daily routines and utilizing visual supports or technology were developed, with family cohesion and online support playing valuable roles in this effort.