Parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder's Quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic in Taif KSA

ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19 pandemic, the new panorama that we are facing makes it difficult for many people to grasp and assimilate all that is going on. This challenge can become severe in people with autism, both in children and in adults around 10% of autistic individuals have co-occurring physical conditions. Parents of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia face several challenges. Aim: To Assess Autism Spectrum Disorder Parental Quality of Life During Covid 19 Method: Descriptive community base study was conducted at the city of Al-Taif using semi-structured questionnaire during Feb. 2022, A total of 76 parents living in Al-Taif participated in the study Results: The study shows that the most frequency of effect of the emerging corona virus Covid 19 on making the lives of children with autism more isolated distributed among study sampling parents of autism children was to a certain extent, the percentage 31, the most frequency of effect of the emerging corona virus Covid 19 on health condition of children with autism distributed among study sampling parents of autism children was disagree, the percentage 32.8, the most frequency effect distribution of emerging coronavirus Covid 19 pandemic on aggressive of children with autism was disagree and the percentage 32.8, and the most frequency effect distribution of emerging coronavirus Covid 19 pandemic on learning of children with autism was strongly agree and the percentage 44.8. Conclusion: The Corona epidemic has doubled the suffering of children with special needs, as the quarantine period and the reduction in the movement to go out to schools and movement have been an incomprehensible thing for them, and it is difficult for them to realize its risks, and the deterioration of their health condition has increased in light of their failure to follow the treatment and follow-up sessions in the Autism House and clinics for months Also. Children of this category are unable to express what is going on inside them towards the ongoing developments of people wearing masks and social distancing, which has been imposed in varying proportions for weeks and months, even for a short period.