Greater support needed for carers of autistic children during lockdown

Families of autistic children have been greatly impacted by lockdown reveals a study by UCL, the University of East London and the University of Bedfordshire. It found that despite the relaxed legislation on lockdown measures for autistic people brought into effect in April, 86% of those surveyed still felt that the needs of autistic people and their families were not adequately planned for or addressed by officials during the pandemic. The authors suggest that any future policy development related to public health crises must ensure that there is input from a diversity of voices, to ensure that the needs and rights of those with disabilities and their families are taken into account. The study, available on UCL Discovery, explores survey responses from 449 participants, including 401 mothers, 35 fathers and 13 carers (including siblings). Of those surveyed, 70% said that their daily routines had significantly changed since the pandemic began, with only 58% reporting that they still had access to at least one type of specialist support. The removal of respite has had a particularly big impact on families; study findings show a significant increase in levels of anxiety, sleep difficulties and alcohol consumption among carers, with many describing a strong fear of becoming ill themselves, and of the impact this might have on their autistic child. However, the study also revealed that forms of social distancing were already the norm among families looking to avoid negative reactions from the general public to their autistic child, with some having to plan when to go shopping, and consider alternative ways of doing this, prior to the lockdown.