Effect of COVID-19 quarantine on caregivers of Egyptian children with autistic spectrum disorder

Mostafa Mohamed; Hazem Mohamed Elhariri; Mai S. Elsheikh; Mohamed Abdel Atti; Hanan Mohamed Belawo; Ahmed Adel

doi:10.53730/ijhs.v6nS4.5901

Authors

Mostafa Mohamed
mostafa_gaballah2000@yahoo.com
Assistant Researcher in Department of Research of Children with Special Needs, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research center, Cairo, Egypt
Hazem Mohamed Elhariri 2 Researcher in Community Medicine department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research center, Cairo, Egypt
Mai S. Elsheikh 3 Researcher in Complementary Medicine Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research center, Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
Mohamed Abdel Atti Resreacher in Department of child health Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research center, Cairo, Egypt
Hanan Mohamed Belawo Lecturer in Department of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Faculty of special education, Misr University for Science and Technology, Egypt
Ahmed Adel Resreacher in Department of child health Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research center, Cairo, Egypt

Keywords:

autism spectrum disorder, COVID-19 Quarantine, caregivers survey, social and sleep disturbances

Abstract

The urgent requirement for adaptation of Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during COVID-19 pandemic has brought major problems to families and caregivers. Aim: To explore and observe the role of caregiver either mother or father or both regarding outcome behavior of children with ASD during the social isolation of COVID-19 outbreak period. Method: The web based questionnaire was applied on families of 110 children diagnosed with ASD. It took about 20 minutes to be filled by parents of affected children. These children was diagnosed in outpatient clinic of department of research on children with special needs according to criteria of DSM5.The survey was designed to study the effect of COVID-19 Quarantine on children with ASD and to record changes observed by their caregivers on their attitude and behavior during this period. Results showed a potential important psychological outcome impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to the role of main caregiver. In conclusion: In terms of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, clinicians should be aware of warning symptoms shown not just by risk groups, but also by all families, and we must all be prepared for post-pandemic monitoring of mental problems.

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