Autism Spectrum Disorder and COVID-19 Pandemic

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication difficulties and repetitive stereotypical behaviors and routines. Sudden and major changes have occurred in normal life with the COVID-19 pandemic and have affected children and adolescents with ASD as well as everyone else. In particular, concerns about physical and mental problems caused by the infection; curfews, quarantine conditions, closure of schools, and special education and rehabilitation centers, families have to spend long hours at home with children and adolescents with ASD, and economic problems have made this difficult process even more difficult. In addition to the healthcare professionals working in the COVID-19 pandemic service and emergencies families with concerns that they and their children could become infected have restricted visiting psychiatric clinics. Except situations that require immediate intervention such as temper tantrums, manic or depressive episodes, suicidal and / or homicidal behaviors, non-suicidal self-mutilating behaviors, and aggression; telemedicine and telepsychiatry services were provided to children with ASDs. Although, there are few studies in the literature that examine the relationship between COVID-19 and ASD; we have compiled the current data that can be used by all professionals working in this field, especially therapists and clinicians.

Keywords: COVID-19, ASD, child, adolescent, autism, psychopatology

DOI :10.26650/BB/CH22.2020.008.22 IUP :10.26650/BB/CH22.2020.008.22 Full Text (PDF)

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu ve COVID-19 Pandemisi

İlyas Kaya, Melodi Dinçel

Otizm spektrum bozukluğu (OSB) sosyal, iletişimsel alanda ciddi zorluklar ve tekrarlayıcı stereotipik davranışlar ve rutinlere sıkı bağlılıkla seyreden nörogelişimsel bir bozukluktur. COVID-19 pandemisi (küresel salgını) ile birlikte yaşamımızda meydana gelen değişimler herkesi etkilediği gibi OSB’li çocuk ve ergenleri de oldukça etkilemiştir. Enfeksiyonun ortaya çıkarabileceği fiziksel ve ruhsal problemler ile ilgili endişeler başta olmak üzere; sokağa çıkış yasakları, karantina koşulları, okulların ve özel eğitim ve rehabilitasyon merkezlerinin kapanması, ailelerin evde uzun saatler boyunca OSB’li çocuk ve ergenlerle vakit geçirmek zorunda kalması ve yaşanılan ekonomik problemler, zor olan bu süreci daha da zorlaştırmıştır. Dünyayı, insanları ve yaşamı anlamlandırmakta, diğerleriyle sosyalleşmede ve iletişim kurmakta, günlük yaşam becerilerini tek başına sürdürmekte ve adaptif fonksiyonları yerine getirmekte ciddi zorlukları olan otizmli çocuk ve ergenler için COVID-19 küresel salgınının tek başına bir virüs enfeksiyonu olarak değerlendirilemeyeceği çok açıktır. Stereotipik davranışlar, rutinlere sıkı bağlılık, kısıtlı ve yineleyici ilgi alanları, duyusal hipo ve hipersensitiviteleri nedeniyle günlük yaşamda zorlanan OSB’li çocuklar; terapi ve tedaviye ulaşamadıkları için ciddi zorluklar yaşamaktadır. Tüm bunlarla birlikte, literatürde COVID-19 ve OSB ilişkisini inceleyen çok az çalışma vardır. Bu yazıda, OSB olan bireyler, aileler, terapistler ve klinisyenler başta olmak üzere bu alanda çalışan tüm profesyonellere yönelik faydalanabilecekleri mevcut veriler derlenmiştir.

Keywords: COVID-19, OSB, çocuk, ergen, otizm, psikopatoloji

References

1. Kanner L. Childhood Psychosis: Initial Studies and New Insights. Maryland: V.H. Winston & Sons; 1973. google scholar
2. TC Sağlık Bakanlığı, Bilimsel Danışma Kurulu Çalışması. Covid-19 genel bilgiler, epidemioloji ve tanı. 29 Haziran 2020, Ankara. 2020;19. Available from: https://covid19.saglik.gov.tr/Eklenti/39060/0/covid-19rehberigenelbi lgilerepidemiyolojivetanipdf.pdf google scholar
3. Guan W, Ni Z, Hu Y, Liang W, Ou C, He J, et al. Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China. N Engl J Med. 2020; 382(18): 1708-20. google scholar
4. TC İçişleri Bakanlığı, 31 İlde 30.04.2020-03.05.2020 Tarihlerinde Uygulanacak Sokağa Çıkma Kısıtlaması (cited 2020 Jul 31). Available from: https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/31-ilde-30042020-03052020-tarihlerinde-uygulanacaksokagacikma-kisitlamasi google scholar
5. Wang G, Zhang Y, Zhao J, Zhang J, Jiang F. Mitigate the effects of home confinement on children during the COVID-19 outbreak. Lancet. 2020; 395: 945-7. google scholar
6. Samantha K Brooks RKW. The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce. Lancet. 2020; 395: 912-20. google scholar
7. Brazendale K, Beets MW, Weaver RG, Pate RR, Turner-McGrievy GM, Kaczynski AT, et al. Understanding differences between summer vs. school obesogenic behaviors of children: The structured days hypothesis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017; 14(1): 1-14. google scholar
8. Wang G, Zhang J, Lam SP, Li SX, Jiang Y, Sun W, et al. Ten-year secular trends in sleep/wake patterns in Shanghai and Hong Kong school-aged children: A tale of two cities. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019; 15(10): 1495-502. google scholar
9. Liu JJ, Bao Y, Huang X, Shi J, Lu L. Mental health considerations for children quarantined because of COVID-19. The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health. 2020; 4: 347-9. google scholar
10. Golberstein E, Gonzales G, Meara E. How do economic downturns affect the mental health of children? Evidence from the National Health Interview Survey. Heal Econ (United Kingdom). 2019; 28(8): 955-70. 216 Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu ve COVID-19 Pandemisi google scholar
11. Sprang G, Silman M. Posttraumatic stress disorder in parents and youth after health-related disasters. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2013; 7(1): 105-10. google scholar
12. Courtenay K, Perera B. COVID-19 and people with intellectual disability: impacts of a pandemic. Ir J Psychol Med. 2020; 37(3): 231-6. google scholar
13. Kong M. What COVID-19 means for non-neurotypical children and their families. Pediatr Res. 2020 Apr 21. doi: 10.1038/s41390-020-0913-7 google scholar
14. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 2013 (cited 2020 Jul 31). Available from: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 google scholar
15. Elsabbagh M, Divan G, Koh YJ, Kim YS, Kauchali S, Marcín C, et al. Global Prevalence of Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Autism Res. 2012; 5(3): 160-79. google scholar
16. Maenner MJ, Shaw KA, Baio J, Washington A, Patrick M, DiRienzo M, et al. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 Years-Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 Sites, United States, 2016. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2020; 69(4): 1-12. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/ volumes/69/ss/ss6904a1.htm google scholar
17. Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder | CDC (cited 2020 Jul 31). Available from: https://www.cdc. gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html google scholar
18. Lai MC, Kassee C, Besney R, Bonato S, Hull L, Mandy W, et al. Prevalence of co-occurring mental health diagnoses in the autism population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2019; 6(10): 819-29. google scholar
19. Muskens JB, Velders FP, Staal WG. Medical comorbidities in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017; 26(9): 1093-103. google scholar
20. Volkmar FR, Lord C, Bailey A, Schultz RT, Klin A. Autism and pervasive developmental disorders. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2004; 45: 135-70. google scholar
21. Carter AS, Davis NO, Klin A, Volkmar FR. Social Development in Autism. In: Fred R. Volkmar FR, Paul R, Klin A, Cohen D, editors. Handbook of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Newyork: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2005; p. 312–34. google scholar
22. Cohmer S. The Embryo Project Encyclopedia. “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact” (1943) by Leo Kanner 2017 (cited 2020 Jul 31). Available from: https://embryo.asu.edu google scholar
23. Leekam SR, Prior MR, Uljarevic M. Restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders: A review of research in the last decade. Psychol Bull. 2011; 137(4): 562-93. google scholar
24. Turk MA, Landes SD, Formica MK, Goss KD. Intellectual and developmental disability and COVID-19 case-fatality trends: TriNetX analysis. Disabil Health J. 2020; 13(3): 100942. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100942 google scholar
25. Ameis SH, Lai M-C, Mulsant BH, Szatmari P. Coping, fostering resilience, and driving care innovation for autistic people and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Mol Autism. 2020; 11(1): 61. google scholar
26. Chow N, Fleming-Dutra K, Gierke R, Hall A, Hughes M, Pilishvili T, et al. Preliminary Estimates of the Prevalence of Selected Underlying Health Conditions Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 — United States, February 12–March 28, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020; 69(13): 382-6. google scholar
27. Berger ZD, Evans NG, Phelan AL, Silverman RD. Covid-19: Control measures must be equitable and inclusive. BMJ. 2020; 368: 19-20. google scholar
28. TC İçişleri Bakanlığı, 81 Il Valiligine Özel Gereksinimi Olan Çocuk ve Gençler Genelgesi (cited 2020 Jul 31). Available from: https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/81-il-valiligine-ozel-gereksinimi-olan-cocuk-ve-gencler-genelgesi google scholar
29. Lima MES, Barros LCM, Aragão GF. Could autism spectrum disorders be a risk factor for COVID-19? Med Hypotheses. 2020;144:109899. google scholar
30. Maddaloni E, Buzzetti R. Covid-19 and diabetes mellitus: unveiling the interaction of two pandemics. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2020; e33213321. doi: 10.1002/dmrr.3321 google scholar
31. Ormstad H, Bryn V, Saugstad OD, Skjeldal O, Maes M. Role of the Immune System in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). CNS Neurol Disord - Drug Targets. 2018; 17(7): 489-95. google scholar
32. Steinman G. COVID-19 and autism. Med Hypotheses. 2020; 142: 109797. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109797 google scholar
33. Colizzi M, Sironi E, Antonini F, Ciceri ML, Bovo C, Zoccante L. Psychosocial and behavioral impact of COVID-19 in autism spectrum disorder: An online parent survey. Brain Sci. 2020; 10(6): 1-14. Kaya, Dinçel 217 google scholar
34. Ersoy K, Altın B, Sarıkaya B, Özkardaş O. The Comparison of Impact of Health Anxiety on Dispositional Hope and Psychological Well-Being of Mothers Who Have Children Diagnosed with Autism and Mothers Who Have Normal Children, in Covid-19 Pandemic. Social Sciences Research Journal. 2020; 9(2): 117-26. google scholar
35. Lai MC, Anagnostou E, Wiznitzer M, Allison C, Baron-Cohen S. Evidence-based support for autistic people across the lifespan: maximising potential, minimising barriers, and optimising the person–environment fit. The Lancet Neurology. 2020; 434-51. google scholar
36. Mugno D, Ruta L, D’Arrigo VG, Mazzone L. Impairment of quality of life in parents of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorder. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007; 5: 22. google scholar
37. Baribeau DA, Vigod S, Pullenayegum E, Kerns CM, Mirenda P, Smith IM, et al. Repetitive Behavior Severity as an Early Indicator of Risk for Elevated Anxiety Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020; 59(7): 890-9. google scholar
38. Curtin C, Hubbard K, Anderson SE, Mick E, Must A, Bandini LG. Food Selectivity, Mealtime Behavior Problems, Spousal Stress, and Family Food Choices in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015; 45(10): 3308-15. google scholar
39. Boyd BA, McDonough SG, Bodfish JW. Evidence-based behavioral interventions for repetitive behaviors in autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012; 42(6): 1236-48. google scholar
40. Schreck KA, Richdale AL. Sleep problems, behavior, and psychopathology in autism: inter-relationships across the lifespan. Curr Opin Psychol. 2020; 34: 105-11. google scholar
41. Brereton A V., Tonge BJ, Einfeld SL. Psychopathology in children and adolescents with autism compared to young people with intellectual disability. J Autism Dev Disord. 2006; 36(7): 863-70. google scholar
42. Eshraghi AA, Li C, Alessandri M, Messinger DS, Eshraghi RS, Mittal R, et al. COVID-19: overcoming the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2020; 7(6): 481-3. google scholar
43. Smile SC. Supporting children with autism spectrum disorder in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. CMAJ. 2020; 192(21): E587. google scholar
44. Becker SP, Gregory AM. Editorial Perspective: Perils and promise for child and adolescent sleep and associated psychopathology during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Child Psychol Psychiatry Allied Discip. 2020; 61(7): 757-9. google scholar
45. Gostin LO, Powers M. What does social justice require for the public’s health? Public health ethics and policy imperatives. Health Aff (Millwood). 2006; 25(4): 1053-60. google scholar
46. Berkman BE. Mitigating pandemic influenza: the ethics of implementing a school closure policy. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2008; 14(4): 372-8. google scholar
47. Holden R, Mueller J, McGowan J, Sanyal J, Kikoler M, Simonoff E, et al. Investigating Bullying as a Predictor of Suicidality in a Clinical Sample of Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res. 2020; 1; 13(6): 988-97. google scholar
48. Sağlık Bakanlığı, Özel çocuklar destek sistemi uygulaması 2020 Nisan (cited 2020 Jul 31). Available from: https://dosyamerkez.saglik.gov.tr/Eklenti/37187,azel-aocuklar-destekustyazia8a0fbf6-fb9a-4e16-99aa8b5ac8af31aepdf.pdf?0&_tag=ACC1FF752ADB22F5E0F90593F2A65EE5F313494D google scholar
49. Peckett H, MacCallum F, Knibbs J. Maternal experience of Lego Therapy in families with children with autism spectrum conditions: What is the impact on family relationships? Autism. 2016; 20(7): 879-87. google scholar
50. Boucenna S, Narzisi A, Tilmont E, Muratori F, Pioggia G, Cohen D, et al. Interactive Technologies for Autistic Children: A Review. Cognit Comput. 2014; 6(4): 722-40. google scholar
51. Narzisi A. Handle the Autism Spectrum Condition During Coronavirus (COVID-19) Stay At Home period: Ten Tips for Helping Parents and Caregivers of Young Children. Brain Sci. 2020; 10(4): 207. google scholar
52. Kawabe K, Hosokawa R, Nakachi K, Yoshino A, Horiuchi F, Ueno SI. Making a brochure about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for children with autism spectrum disorder and their family members. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2020 Jun 20: 10.1111/pcn.13090. doi: 10.1111/pcn.13090 google scholar
53. Howes OD, Rogdaki M, Findon JL, Wichers RH, Charman T, King BH, et al. Autism spectrum disorder: Consensus guidelines on assessment, treatment and research from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2018; 3-29. google scholar
54. Kissler SM, Tedijanto C, Goldstein E, Grad YH, Lipsitch M. Projecting the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 through the postpandemic period. Science. 2020; 368(6493): 860-8. google scholar

Covid-19: Molecular and Clinical Approach

CHAPTER

Autism Spectrum Disorder and COVID-19 Pandemic

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu ve COVID-19 Pandemisi

References

SHARE