Adaptive response of Italian young adults with autism to the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valenti, M.; Pino, M.C.; Le Donne, I.; Vagnetti, R.; Tiberti, S.; Attanasio, M.; Mazza, M.
• Is Part Of: Research in developmental disabilities. Volume 131(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Autism Spectrum Disorder -- COVID-19 -- Pandemic -- Adaptive behaviour -- Telehealth; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Education -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmental Disabilities -- Periodicals; Disabled -- Periodicals; Mental Retardation -- rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Personnes atteintes de troubles du développement -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Enfants atteints de troubles du développement -- Éducation -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Développement, Troubles du -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; 616.858800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104333
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-4222

Abstract

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a hazardous situation for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families. The difficulties, following the COVID-19-derived lockdown, have involved working from home or loss of employment, and the demands of looking after their children without the daily support of specialists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptive behaviour of young adult participants with ASD after the enforcement of lockdown measures in March 2020 in a specialised centre in central Italy, by administering the Italian form of the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales Second Edition (VABS-II), at baseline as well as 6 months and 1 year after the lockdown. Participants with ASD who were not able to access their normal, in-person care – they were only followed at a distance (i.e. telehealth) – declined dramatically in their adaptive behaviour during the first months after the lockdown for some VABS-II dimensions such as the socialisation and daily living domains. The effects of the lockdown on adaptive behaviour remained after 1 year. Our results emphasise the need for immediate, continuous and personal support for people with ASD during and after the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to ensure at least partial recovery of adaptive functioning. Highlights: Global pandemic represented a challenge for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We investigated adaptive behaviour of young adults with ASD after lockdown. Adaptive skills have worsened and their recovery will take place in the long term.