Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Daily Life: Diverse Experiences for Autistic Adults.
Jarymke Maljaars, Eef Gijbels, Kris Evers and 4 others
PMID 35076831WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults reported higher stress and mixed pandemic impacts.
Home life was often positive due to predictability, but social and work life suffered from isolation and routine loss. Telehealth was polarizing: some preferred its low sensory demand, while others found it exhausting and insufficient for complex needs.
Key findings
01Autistic adults reported significantly more perceived stress than non-autistic adults, with 36% experiencing high levels compared to 9% of the control group.
02Experiences of home and family life were predominantly positive for both groups, driven by quietness, predictability, and increased time with family, whereas social life impacts were mixed due to reduced demands but increased isolation.
03Telehealth and remote work were polarizing: some autistic adults valued the reduced sensory load and control, while others found online interactions exhausting and inadequate for maintaining support or work routines.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was largely female, highly educated, and lacked racial/ethnic diversity, limiting generalizability. Participants had to be fluent in written Dutch or English and have internet access, excluding those with severe communication or sensory barriers to online surveys. Stress levels during the first lockdown were assessed retrospectively, which may introduce memory biases. There was no pre-pandemic baseline data, so it is unclear if stress levels were elevated specifically due to the pandemic or were already high.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that remote or telehealth interventions are universally preferred or effective for autistic adults. The study found highly polarized responses, with many participants reporting that online support was exhausting, insufficient, or worse than in-person care due to sensory and communication barriers.