COVID-19, social isolation and the mental health of autistic people and their families: A qualitative study

• Published in: Autism : the international journal of research and practice Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 914 - 927
• Main Authors: Pellicano, Elizabeth, Brett, Simon, den Houting, Jacquiline, Heyworth, Melanie, Magiati, Iliana, Steward, Robyn, Urbanowicz, Anna, Stears, Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.05.2022; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult; Adults; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic adults; Autistic children; Autistic Disorder; Child; Communicable Disease Control; Computer Mediated Communication; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Family Attitudes; Friendship; Health Services; Humans; Mental Health; Need Gratification; Pandemics; Parents & parenting; Participatory research; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Qualitative research; Satisfaction; Social Isolation; Support workers; Telephone service; Well Being; Youth; COVID-19; participatory research; qualitative research

The COVID-19 pandemic and its policy responses have had a detrimental effect on millions of people’s mental health. Here, we investigate its impact on autistic people and their families using qualitative methods. Specifically, we addressed: how did autistic people experience an increase in social is...