'It's been adapted rather than impacted': A qualitative evaluation of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the positive behavioural support of people with an intellectual disability and/or autism.

The interviews were with 19 staff from one region, all of whom had completed a positive behavioural support programme, so the views may not represent other areas or untrained services. The study recorded staff perceptions, not measured changes in quality of life or behaviours that challenge, so it cannot show what actually happened to the people supported. The researchers had worked on the wider positive behavioural support evaluation and had prior contact with participants, which may have shaped answers or interpretation. Participants held different roles and qualifications, from support workers to organisational leads, so their views may reflect their position rather than the same experience. Interviews took place between 3rd April and 28th May 2020, so later lockdown experiences may differ. No themes specific to autism were identified, so relevance to autistic people without intellectual disability is uncertain.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Do not read staff reports of fewer behaviours that challenge as proof that positive behavioural support caused the change. The study asked staff for their perceptions, did not measure behaviour change, and included only 19 recently trained staff from one region.