Core experiences of parents of children with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

The lockdown that was imposed by governments as part of the attempt to contain COVID-19 pandemic included extreme measures, such home confinement and shutting down special education systems. Our aim learn about core experiences parents children with autism during this significant life disturbance. Thirty-one 25 participated in semi-structured telephone interviews which were transcribed verbatim underwent a qualitative, immersion/crystallization analysis. analysis conducted an iterative consensus-building process identify parents’ experiences, concerns, challenges, coping strategies, perceived needs lockdown. main themes emerged related various parental concerns; major difficulties encountered unique time, functional, social, behavioral implications had on these children; manner coped indication their resourcefulness outlook. findings broaden insight into underlying elements hardships gains experienced times adversity. Programs should be directed at supporting guiding how better accommodate situation, thereby optimizing strategies resilience. Lay abstract isolation due led transformation lifestyles. Being parent situation not easy for anyone, much less needs. systems meant lost vital support network sole full-time caregivers despite often lacking skills cope new daunting situation. We interviewed learned faced homebound autistic stemmed from change routine, lack services, limited physical space, food- sleep-related issues. Some worsening behavioral, developmental domains, yet others seemed only overcome challenges changing conditions but even benefit them. children’s success or failure directly coped. key factors enabled successful ability child’s needs, own creativeness resourcefulness, generally positive results revealed best way caught up drastic changes routine lifestyle is invest strong system parents.