ABSTRACT
This article discusses autism and COVID-19. Autistic individuals in congregate and group settings, with co-occurring medical conditions are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and poor health outcomes. Wide variations in state vaccine prioritization plans exist, where high-risk disabled populations are not considered high priority. Access to routine medical visits has been disrupted during surges in cases, leading to potential delays in accessing necessary diagnoses, treatments and services. Emergency preparedness plans often overlook the needs of autistic individuals;for example, the use of the frailty scale to ration care, which unfairly disadvantages autistic individuals. Social isolation has negative effects on the well-being of autistic individuals who have lost their routine social interactions and support. The disruption to learning has been particularly concerning for children with special educational needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted areas that need urgent attention in the community. Autistic individuals, particularly those at high-risk for COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths, should be prioritized to receive the COVID19 vaccine. Autistic individuals must be represented in infection control and emergency preparedness planning at multiple levels: for example, within schools, health care settings, residential facilities, etc. Prolonged and unexpected disruptions to health, educational, and behavioral service deliveries during occurrences such as the COVID-19 pandemic must be met with innovative solutions to maximize individual life-course trajectories. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
This article discusses autism and COVID-19. Autistic individuals in congregate and group settings, with co-occurring medical conditions are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and poor health outcomes. Wide variations in state vaccine prioritization plans exist, where high-risk disabled populations are not considered high priority. Access to routine medical visits has been disrupted during surges in cases, leading to potential delays in accessing necessary diagnoses, treatments and services. Emergency preparedness plans often overlook the needs of autistic individuals;for example, the use of the frailty scale to ration care, which unfairly disadvantages autistic individuals. Social isolation has negative effects on the well-being of autistic individuals who have lost their routine social interactions and support. The disruption to learning has been particularly concerning for children with special educational needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted areas that need urgent attention in the community. Autistic individuals, particularly those at high-risk for COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths, should be prioritized to receive the COVID19 vaccine. Autistic individuals must be represented in infection control and emergency preparedness planning at multiple levels: for example, within schools, health care settings, residential facilities, etc. Prolonged and unexpected disruptions to health, educational, and behavioral service deliveries during occurrences such as the COVID-19 pandemic must be met with innovative solutions to maximize individual life-course trajectories. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)