EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON CHILDREN WITH ASD

• Main Author: Abdelkader BEHTANE
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universitaria Publishing House, Craiova 2021-06-01
• Series: Analele Universităţii din Craiova. Psihologie, Pedagogie
• Subjects: tsa; emotional state; pandemic; covid19; child; supported
• Online Access: https://aucpp.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2.-AUC_PP_2021_no_43_issue_1_Behtane_A_pp_23-35.pdf

The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes hypersensitivity and dysfunction of sociability, communication and emotional interaction. Children with this disorder find it difficult to deal with their emotions, whether they are positive or negative. The Covid-19 pandemic has had many consequences, especially in the psychological care of children with ASD and their families. In this context, the emotional impact was very important for these children requiring daily monitoring. Indeed, the loss of reference points following the closure of the centers and schools welcoming these children has impacted the emotions of the children and their parents. Several questions arose: how to occupy children with ASD during confinement? How to ensure continuity of care and support? Does confinement have an impact on changing their emotions? The results show that there are significant differences (p <0.05) between the CARS scores in the cases studied before and during confinement. We think it is useful to make a visual schedule, to create games around the interests of the child and to respect the rhythm of the child. Also, professionals had to review their care by setting up remote consultations in order to stay in touch with families who felt deprived and to respond to emotional dysfunction or negative emotions in their children.