Autism in Preschool-Aged Children: The Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 54; no. 10; pp. 3657 - 3669
• Main Authors: Termine, Cristiano, Galli, Vera, Dui, Linda Greta, Berlusconi, Valentina, Lipari, Rossella, Lunardini, Francesca, Ferrante, Simona
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.10.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aggression; Aggressive behavior; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - epidemiology; Autism Spectrum Disorder - psychology; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autistic children; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Behavior; Behavior change; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Child, Preschool; Children; Children & youth; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Control Groups; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Departments; Disruption; Distance Education; Echolalia; Environmental Influences; Exercise; Families & family life; Family Environment; Female; Home environment; Hospitals; Humans; Integrated Services; Kindergarten; Learning; Learning Activities; Male; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Pandemics; Parent Surveys; Parents & parenting; Pediatrics; Physical activity; Preschool children; Preschool Education; Psychology; Public Health; Quarantine - psychology; Questionnaires; Rehabilitation; SARS-CoV-2; School Surveys; Shelter in place; Short Term Memory; Skills; Sleep; Sociodemographics; Special Needs Students; Stress; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thinking Skills; COVID-19; Infant mental health; Lockdown; Behaviour changes; Autism spectrum disorder
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06078-4

The COVID-19 lockdown affected children, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, due to the disruption in rehabilitation and educational activities. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 315 preschool-aged children, 35 of which had autism, to investigate this impact. A questionnaire was administered to explore socio-demographic status, familiar/home environment, and COVID-19 exposure. The clinical features of autistic subjects were also examined. Seven variables were considered to describe the effect of pandemic: Remote learning , Behavior changes , Home activities , Sleep habits , Night awakenings , Physical activity , Information about the virus . The lockdown had a significant impact on Remote learning , Behavior changes , and Information about the virus in participants with autism. Moreover, we found a worsening in repetitive movements, echolalia, restricted interests, and aggressive behaviors.