Autism spectrum disorder, parent coping, and parent concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak beginning in 2019 has created a challenging period for families who have children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to examine parents' perceptions about the consequences of the pandemic on their child who has ASD and parents' concerns and resources during the pandemic. Data was collected between July to November 2020 from U.S. parents who have at least one child with ASD between 3 and 21 years old. An online survey, consisting of 88 items, was developed and distributed online in newsletters and Twitter pages of several ASD organizations, and various caregiving support groups on Facebook. Descriptive analysis showed that during the data collection time (N = 57), 79% of the children had immediate access to electronic devices to utilize online services. Many of the children used remote learning services for less than 2 h (74%) per day. Many children had difficulties following social distance rules. They spent more time in passive activities than active activities. Twenty-five percent of parents reported that they drank alcohol more often during the pandemic. However, parents who participated in support groups consumed less alcohol. Also, child symptom severity was associated with parents taking less times for themselves. These results can assist practitioners in identifying specific difficulties that parents and children with ASD experienced during the pandemic. This work also underlines the parents' needs for community supports and mental health services.

Telemental Health Use and Refugee Mental Health Providers Following COVID-19 Pandemic.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has increased stress, fear, and anxiety for many people. At the same time, social isolation restrictions have disrupted most in-person mental health services. Many mental health providers are adapting to the crisis by utilizing telemental health. However, the literature is scant about how to most effectively utilize telemental health practices with refugee clients, many of whom do not speak English and require an interpreter, may have limited technological proficiency or access, and/or have additional case management needs and coordination as part of their treatment plan. The purpose of this study is to understand how mental health clinicians and case workers at a refugee-serving mental health clinic are successfully shifting their face-to-face practice to telemental health, the obstacles they encounter, and what resources they have found to be helpful. Two main themes emerged from the data: (1) refugee mental health providers display initiative and flexibility in their adaptation to telemental health and (2) providers reported numerous obstacles to effective telemental health, including client barriers, tech barriers, communication issues, and the challenge of reading nonverbal cues virtually. By better understanding telemental health when working with refugees, clinical social workers will be more effective in meeting the needs of a population with significant mental health needs and limited mental healthcare access.