Center for Youth Development and Intervention, The University of Alabama, 200 Hackberry Lane, Suite 101, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States.
Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic, The University of Alabama, P.O. Box 870161, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, United States.
Res Dev Disabil. 2021 Jun;113:103938. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103938. Epub 2021 Mar 14.
Shelter in place mandates due to the COVID-19 pandemic left caregivers to determine how to best meet the therapeutic requirements of their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding the challenges faced by families, and their experiences using telehealth for the first time, may help make services sustainable in future public health emergencies. A sample of 70 caregivers of people with ASD from across the US completed an anonymous online survey. Results indicate that impaired emotion regulation was a primary contributor of parent-reported stress for persons with ASD during the pandemic, while loss of established structure and routine contributed to parental stress. Nearly half the sample reported using telehealth for the first time. Many caregivers were appreciative that telehealth permitted continuation of services, but expressed concerns about limited effectiveness due in part to their children's social communication problems.
由于 COVID-19 大流行而实行的就地避难命令，使得照顾者不得不确定如何最好地满足其患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的孩子的治疗需求。了解家庭所面临的挑战，以及他们首次使用远程医疗的经验，可能有助于在未来的公共卫生紧急情况下使服务可持续发展。来自美国各地的 70 名 ASD 患者的照顾者完成了一项匿名在线调查。结果表明，在大流行期间，情绪调节受损是 ASD 患者父母报告的压力的主要原因，而既定结构和常规的丧失则导致父母的压力。样本中近一半的人表示他们第一次使用远程医疗。许多照顾者很感激远程医疗可以继续提供服务，但也表示担心服务的效果有限，部分原因是他们的孩子存在社交沟通问题。
