Physiological Effects of Pandemic COVID-19 On Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Bangladesh

Abstract

Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is considered as the most challenging and life-threatening condition in today’s world. It has been evident that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face double challenge during the pandemic situation due to disrupted routine and unavailability of therapy resulting in some new adopted physiological symptoms that increases the risk of getting infected with corona virus. So, this study aims to find out the nature and causes of the physiological effects of Covid 19 pandemic on children with autism and at the same time suggest taking the proper action regarding these physiological phenomena reducing the of rate of vulnerability. The participants of this study are the parents and the therapists of the children (age range: 5-15 years) with ASD who have been chosen purposefully from Dhaka and Chattogram divisions, Bangladesh. Data has been collected from the participants with the questionnaire and focus group discussion tools through online platform zoom cloud. Results demonstrates that most of the children have an increase in body weight, reduced energy burning, and sleep disturbances since lockdown started that further worsen their hyperactivity suggesting the necessity of acting for the awareness of parents group and thus prevention of covid-19 among children with ASD.

Social Science Review, Vol. 38(1), June 2021 Page 203-216