Although Covid-19’s stay-at-home restrictions abruptly altered the established routines of children, a new study by the Institute for Autism Research (IAR) found minimal short-term effects on those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Researchers collected data on ASD symptom severity, comorbid symptom severity, social skills and adaptive behaviors over the course of two years from the parents or caregivers of 69 children, between the ages of eight and 16, with ASD. Their findings showed nominal short-term effects on any of these symptoms or adaptive skills.
“It is possible that this disruption was no more distressing than the challenges encountered on a regular basis in the school setting,” says Assistant Professor of Psychology Jonathan D. Rodgers, PhD, a co-author of the study. He notes, however, “on-going monitoring is needed to assess long-term impacts.”
The IAR research was published in the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities.
