Differences in Psychological and Behavioral Changes between Children following School Closure due to COVID-19.

School closure due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pushed children across ages and nationalities into a state of mental health crisis. In Japan, children between the ages of 6 and 18 were ordered to stay at home and observe social distancing for several months. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of quarantine due to COVID-19 on children belonging to different developmental stages in life. Data were collected from mothers of typically developing children aged between 6 and 18 years. The differences in psychological and behavioral changes following school closure during the COVID-19 pandemic were explored. A total of 535 children, including 145 students in lower grades of elementary school (6-9 years), 124 students in higher grades of elementary school (9-12 years), 132 students in junior high school (12-15 years), and 134 students in high school (15-18 years), were recruited. Children in lower grades of elementary school (lower grades group) gained significantly lower understanding about COVID-19 and the necessity of COVID-19 restrictions than children in the other groups. Moreover, they had more psychological problems: they easily cried and complained, were unable to keep calm, and were dependent on parents and family members. Changes in sleep patterns were more prevalent in junior and senior high school students. We concluded that mental health care should be provided based on the growth period of each child not only during school closure but also after school reopening.

Behavioral Affect in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder during School Closures Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: A Case-Controlled Study.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could experience more stress due to the changes consequent to school closures because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study investigated differences in behavioral affect between children with ASD and typically developing children (TD). We conducted an online survey with mothers. The data of 84 children with ASD and 361 TD children aged 6 to 18 years were analyzed. Children with ASD were more frustrated due to the changes in their schedule and engaged more in restricted and repetitive behavior. Children with ASD had different types of behavioral affect compared to TD.

Excessive and Problematic Internet Use During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 School Closure: Comparison Between Japanese Youth With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Internet use in the youth has increased manifold during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) generally have a higher risk of problematic internet use. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in internet and related digital media use between children with ASD and their typically developing counterparts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this online survey in Japan conducted from April 30 to May 8, 2020, we analyzed digital media time of 84 children with ASD and 361 age- and gender-matched controls before and after school closure. Digital media use duration was significantly longer in the ASD group than in the control group before the pandemic. The increase of media use time was more prominent in the control group than in the ASD group. We observed excessive Internet use among children with ASD and without ASD, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to establish strategies to prevent excessive internet use in not only children and adolescents with ASD but also without ASD in the post-pandemic world.