IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND THEIR CARING PARENTS (Atena Editora)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated abrupt changes in the lives of children/adolescents with ASD, impacting the entire family environment, with consequences that can be quite negative. The aim of this study was to analyze the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic period in the lives of children/adolescents with ASD and their caregivers. METHODS: This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Parents of children/adolescents with ASD who were being treated at the location were eligible for the sample. Children and/or adolescents with ASD who reside in institutions or who did not regularly attend the institution before the pandemic were included in this research. The interviews were analyzed using Bardin's content method, with the following categories emerging: impacts of the pandemic period on children/adolescents with ASD (1), with three subcategories, namely: impacts on family routine, behavioral impacts and physical impacts; Remote teaching and children/adolescents with ASD (2); Repercussions of the pandemic period on the caregiver(3).RESULTS: All interviewees were mothers of children/adolescents with ASD. Some interviewees mentioned that their family routine was directly impacted by the pandemic. 90% reported that their children showed behavioral worsening during the pandemic, while 40% reported that their children were also physically impacted by the period, mainly due to weight gain. In face of remote teaching, 60% of the interviewees reported the difficulty faced in carrying out the proposed activities. All mothers reinforced that they felt changes in their personal routine, in addition to the fear of not being offering the proper treatment to their children. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The study identified that the pandemic had several impacts on the lives of children and adolescents with ASD and on those responsible for them. With the return of activities and institutions, it is expected that it will be investigated how these impacts may have influenced the return to routine of these families.