The impact of COVID-19 measures on parent-reported restricted and repetitive behaviours in pre-school children with autism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

COVID-19 restrictive measures have had a considerable impact on daily life routines, which may be especially challenging for families of children with autism. In pre-schoolers with autism, it is likely that the disruption of routines mainly impacts the presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviours (RRBs). Furthermore, influence of comorbid conditions, secondary behavioural difficulties and home environment characteristics on RRBs was explored.

Method

A cross-sectional online survey design was used to collect parent-report data on 254 children with autism (2.5-6 years) during lockdown in the early months of the pandemic. RRBs were assessed using the Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised (RBS-R).

Results

Parents reported a significant increase in stereotypic

SUBMITTER: Boterberg S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9188681 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature