Overcoming challenges of individuals with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The COVID-19 pandemic is stressful enough, but for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, the crisis can be especially difficult.

Adrien A. Eshraghi, M.D., M.Sc., professor of otolaryngology, neurological surgery, and biomedical engineering, has dedicated much of his career to caring for people with various disabilities including individuals with autism.

Dr. Eshraghi and Miller School coauthors published a new correspondence titled “COVID-19: overcoming the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families” in The Lancet Psychiatry on May 20. In this commentary, the authors address specific challenges patients with autism and their families might encounter during the pandemic, as well as what health care providers should know and do to ensure optimal and safe care.

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The Lancet article:

thelancet.com/journals/lanp...

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A section of society that has been forgotten about.

No, I have no idea as to why and how I manage to cope, perhaps being on the higher functional end of the spectrum may have something to do with it.

[Pentreath Volunteer]

My grandson is autistic and has been working full time now for a few years - he is 29. He has been furloughed and is very happy about it - he is making models from kits of various rolling stock of trains. The work he does is very boring. He is lucky in having good support from his parents.

[Carnival567]

My elder son,44, is on the spectrum and has trouble if things do not go as expected, which can be difficult. We had quite a lot of difficulty when he was growing up, although things did improve when he got a diagnosis. None of us knew anything about autism, we just thought he was very difficult. Fortunately he has a lovely wife who tells him what to do, and he has a very good GP, so at last he is more settled. He doesn’t work though. Very difficult for families with autistic children at this time. In Wales they have allowed families with ASD children to take them out more often. Sensible.

[Ergendl]

I haven't had any problems with my ASD during the epidemic, again probably because of being on a higher functioning level. My husband and I have maintained a regular daily schedule, which always helps, and I have plenty to do working on my micro-publishing business. A great time for free webinar classes on how to sell online etc.

[Grandmatojack]

My 4 year old grandson is we believe autistic and school think so also. They had referred him to be assessed but all this Covid virus has held it back. My daughter is having major problems now with him due to all the changes in his routines.