Understanding the Impact of Home Confinement on Children and Young People with ADHD and ASD During the COVID-19 Pandemic

To understand whether the mental health of children and young people (CYP) with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were differentially affected by COVID-19. We analysed data (n = 6507) from the Co-Space study, a UK web-based longitudinal survey. CYP with ADHD (n = 160;2.5%), ASD (n = 465;7%), and ADHD + ASD (n = 155;2.4%) were compared with a reference group (n = 5727;88%) using parent-completed questionnaires [Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) & Pandemic Anxiety Scale (PAS)]. Baseline to 1-month follow-up differences were compared using linear regression models. CYP with ADHD and/or ASD had higher scores at baseline than other CYP. At follow-up, CYP with ASD showed small but significant improvements in symptoms (SDQ), compared with the reference group. CYP with ASD experienced a worsening of disease anxiety (PAS) and CYP with ADHD a deterioration in functional impairment. These findings indicate a mixed pattern of pandemic-related impact for CYP with ADHD and/or ASD.

Automated summary

This study examined the differential impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of children and young people (CYP) with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data from a web-based longitudinal survey in the UK were analyzed, comparing CYP with ADHD, ASD, and ADHD+ASD to a reference group. The results showed that CYP with ADHD and/or ASD had higher scores at baseline, and at follow-up, CYP with ASD showed improvements in symptoms but increased disease anxiety, while CYP with ADHD experienced deterioration in functional impairment. These findings suggest a mixed pattern of pandemic-related impact for CYP with ADHD and/or ASD.