The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. The research article titled "How have youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder managed quarantine derived from COVID-19 pandemic? An approach to families perspectives" provides valuable insights into how these families navigated quarantine. As practitioners, we can learn from these findings to improve our interventions and supports for children with ASD.
The study surveyed 47 families from northern Spain, focusing on their daily life management during quarantine. Surprisingly, many families reported that their children managed quarantine better than expected. Key findings include:
- Increased Participation in Family Routines: Many children with ASD participated more in family activities, such as setting the table or deciding on daily activities.
- Enhanced Communication: Families observed that their children were more communicative with parents and siblings during quarantine.
- New Skills Acquisition: The extra time at home allowed families to teach new skills, including autonomy-related tasks, house care routines, and social interaction skills.
- Use of Visual Supports and Technology: Families developed new strategies such as using visual schedules and incorporating new technologies for learning and leisure.
However, the study also highlighted areas where additional support is needed:
- Social Comprehension: Families reported the need for greater understanding from the community when they went out for walks with their children.
- Work-Family Balance: Many families struggled to balance work obligations with the increased demands of home life.
- Continued Educational Support: Some families felt that the educational support provided during quarantine was insufficient and would have appreciated more tailored interventions.
These findings underscore the importance of flexible, context-based interventions that can be adapted to the unique needs of each family. As practitioners, we should consider the following strategies to improve our support for children with ASD:
- Encourage Family Involvement: Facilitate family participation in the child's daily routines and decision-making processes to enhance their engagement and communication skills.
- Utilize Visual Supports: Implement visual schedules and other visual aids to help children with ASD understand and manage their daily activities.
- Leverage Technology: Incorporate technology for both educational and leisure activities to keep children engaged and learning.
- Provide Online Support: Offer online psychological and educational support to families, ensuring they have access to the resources they need during challenging times.
- Advocate for Policy Changes: Work with policymakers to promote job flexibility and better work-family balance to support families of children with ASD.
By incorporating these strategies, practitioners can create more supportive and effective interventions for children with ASD and their families. For further reading and to delve deeper into the research findings, please follow this link: How have youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder managed quarantine derived from COVID-19 pandemic? An approach to families perspectives.
