Impact of COVID-19 on children and young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families

The Rotterdam Autism Consortium (R.A.C.; collaboration Erasmus University Rotterdam, Youz, Yulius, and Erasmus MC-Sophia) investigated in a mixed-method longitudinal research design what 1) the psycho-emotional impact, 2) risk and protective factors, and 3) care and information needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes were compared with control data from Generation R, a general population cohort. It has been found in more than 50 families that young people with ASD experience the impact of the pandemic, but that this is similar to neuro-typical young people and with "regular maturation". However, there is greater variation in the ASD group, which has important clinical implications. For parents, severe role restriction and mild problems in the parent-child relationship, physical health and overall burden are the main concerns during the lockdown. Many parents indicate that they have just made it and are under maximum strain. Changes in policy and information increase this burden. Concerns about future problems resulting from the pandemic are also mentioned. Webinars The project has produced 2 webinars: 1. Autism & COVID-19 2. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with children with autism spectrum disorders Executive parties Erasmus University Rotterdam, Yulius, Sophia Children's Hospital, Parnassia Group