The impact of COVID-19 pandemic social restrictions on individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers in the Stateof Qatar: A cross-sectional study

Experiences of caregivers of children with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

 The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has had a profoundly negative impact on people all over the world, particularly those with disabilities such as autism. However, there are gaps in research understanding the impact of COVID-19 on this population and the support required.

AIM

 To explore the evidence available on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of children with autism.

METHOD

 A scoping review methodology using the Arksey and O'Malley framework was employed. Five electronic databases from March 2020 to December 2022 were reviewed. Two thousand two hundred and six articles were retrieved with primary search terms: caregivers (population), autism (diagnosis) and COVID-19 (context). Following the screening of titles, abstracts and articles, 36 articles were included in the final review. Thematic and content qualitative analysis was completed.

RESULTS

 Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guided the reporting of the findings. Three main themes were identified: (1) caregiver's mental health and wellbeing, (2) response to remote health care and support and (3) caregiver resilience.

CONCLUSION

 The pandemic affected children with autism and their families regarding changes in routine, difficulties with support and emotional states. However, little research has been conducted on the impact in upper-middle-income countries such as South Africa.Contribution: The findings from this review carry practical implications that extend beyond the pandemic, such as political instability or natural disasters that may present similar stressors for children with autism and their families.

The impact of methamphetamine on psychosocial variables in patients from Iraq

Background

The current work reviews the psychosocial factors associated with different urinary methamphetamine concentration levels.

Methods

From April to November 2023, 243 participants from Baghdad's Al-Ataa Hospital were the subjects of a cross-sectional descriptive analysis study. We included 73 patients in this study.

Result

The urinary methamphetamine concentration levels were from 3 to 92,274 ng/ml, with a mean ± SD of 10,873.6 ± 18,641. Patients diagnosed with major depression disorder exhibited higher scores on GHQ-30, UCLA, MOAS, and BDI-II with a significant P-value of 0.0001, 0.001, 0.0001, and 0.0001, consequently with an effect size of 0.015, 0.001, 1.05, and 3.24, respectively.

Conclusions

The multi-screening test can produce a false positive. It frequently interferes with other drugs, especially antidepressants. This will result in patients being stigmatized and accused. On the other hand, those who accidentally come into contact with crystal smoke will experience the same withdrawal symptoms as the addicted patients. Their urinary methamphetamine level (titer) could have negative results. Urinary methamphetamine levels should be zero in healthy patients. In this situation, screening tests, expert opinion, and urine methamphetamine testing are strongly recommended.

Artificial intelligence evaluation of COVID-19 restrictions and speech therapy effects on the autistic children's behavior

In the present study, we aimed to quantify the effects of COVID-19 restrictions and speech treatment approaches during lockdowns on autistic children using CBCL and neuro-fuzzy artificial intelligence method. In this regard, a survey including CBCL questionnaire is prepared using online forms. In total, 87 children with diagnosed Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) participated in the survey. The influences of three treatment approaches of in-person, telehealth and public services along with no-treatment condition during lockdown were the main factors of the investigation. The main output factors were internalized and externalized problems in general and their eight subcategory syndromes. We examined the reports by parents/caregivers to find correlation between treatments and CBCL listed problems. Moreover, comparison of the eight syndromes rating scores from pre-lockdown to post-lockdown periods were performed. In addition, artificial intelligence method were engaged to find the influence of speech treatment during restrictions on the level of internalizing and externalizing problems. In this regard, a fully connected adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system is employed with type and duration of treatments as input and T-scores of the syndromes are the output of the network. The results indicate that restrictions alleviate externalizing problems while intensifying internalizing problems. In addition, it is concluded that in-person speech therapy is the most effective and satisfactory approach to deal with ASD children during stay-at-home periods.

How to Make the Unpredictable Foreseeable? Effective Forms of Assistance for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Symptomatology in patients with the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is very heterogeneous. The symptoms they present include communication difficulties, behavior problems, upbringing problems from their parents, and comorbidities (e.g., epilepsy, intellectual disability). A predictable and stable environment and the continuity of therapeutic interactions are crucial in this population. The COVID-19 pandemic has created much concern, and the need for home isolation to limit the spread of the virus has disrupted the functioning routine of children/adolescents with ASD. Are there effective diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives to limit the consequences of disturbing the daily routine of young patients during the unpredictable times of the pandemic? Modern technology and telemedicine have come to the rescue. This narrative review aims to present a change in the impact profile in the era of isolation and assess the directions of changes that specialists may choose when dealing with patients with ASD.

Short Report. An innovative training programme for families of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Qatar: Parents as interventionists

INTRODUCTION

Previous research has established the association of maladaptive behaviours exhibited by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with an increase in the extent of care burden among their caregivers. The mental health needs of caregivers and their effective management, therefore, need to be given due consideration. The main aim of this paper is to reiterate the significance of the role of training programmes for caregivers in enhancing their knowledge and enabling them to manage behavioural challenges with more independence and confidence.

METHODS

The aims, structure, and content of the ASD training programme for caregivers implemented by the specialist child and adolescent mental health service, Hamad Medical Corporation, are described. Sixty families have benefited from this initiative so far. A summary of the feedback provided by forty caregivers, all biological parents, is also summarised.

RESULTS

The mean score related to knowledge among participants before and after attending the training increased from 3.28 to 4.41. Out of the 40 parents who provided feedback, 27 (67.5%) reported an increase in their understanding of the topic after attendance.

CONCLUSION

This initiative consolidates the significance of programmes focusing on enhancing awareness and improving coping among caregivers of children and young people with ASD.

[Autism Spectrum Disorders: What the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Taught Us]

The article is devoted to the consequences of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 and more particularly, of the preventive measures adopted during this period on people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These people are more at risk (especially in cases of comorbidity with intellectual disability) of being infected and hospitalized longer. This increased risk is explained by the presence of biological risk factors (increased cytokines, decreased melatonin) and by psychological factors related to the clinical picture of ASD. Hesitancy concerning COVID vaccinations is discussed in relation to the erroneously purported link between vaccination and the onset of autism. As expected, the pandemic has had negative effects on the clinical picture of children, adolescents, and adults with ASD: sleep disorders, increased behavioural disorders, more stereotypies, parental distress. Unexpectedly, researchers and clinicians have also highlighted the positive effects of the pandemic, described as the "paradoxical‿ effects (improved communication and relationships, decreased anxiety, being happier because of being more in control over their schedule). The explanation for these effects was related to non-attendance at school and, thus, no bullying, decreased sensory and social overload, increased time spent at home, and solidarity with the autistic community and with the entire community. Finally, the question of the transfer of certain conditions that contributed to the above-mentioned improvements to the post-pandemic period is addressed.

The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic by persons with ASD: Social aspects

While causing a variety of social restrictions, the COVID-19 pandemic has also precipitated the digitalisation of public services and official procedures, reducing many, until recently necessary, immediate social interactions. This study has been conducted to investigate their perception of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on their current and future social interactions. To this end, semi-structured narrative interviews were conducted. Ten adults on the autism spectrum participated in the study. The phenomenological analysis of the narratives focused on categories related to the social functioning of the study participants. The interpretation of the narratives has shown that autistic people can experience a sense of loss due to the lack of direct contact. On the other hand, we also talked to the participants who expressed their satisfaction with the situation of obligatory social distance. The respondents also discussed the subject of changing the form of interaction in some areas of public life to one that is more adjusted to the needs of people with their condition. The study concludes with a suggestion that autistic people might benefit from technological progress in institutions and the availability of the option to prefer online contact for interactions that are not strictly necessary.