The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with autism: a survey study across three countries.
Danna Oomen, Annabel D Nijhof, Jan R Wiersema
PMID 33658046WHAT IT FOUND
Adults with autism reported significantly greater increases in depression and anxiety during the pandemic than those without.
They faced specific stressors like disrupted routines, grocery shopping, and loss of support, while some found relief from social and sensory overload.
Key findings
01The increase in depression and anxiety symptoms, and their impact on daily life, was significantly greater in the autism group compared to the non-autism group.
02Adults with autism worried significantly more about access to medication, food, their pets, and work security than the control group.
03Qualitative responses highlighted that grocery shopping was the most anxiety-provoking activity due to disrupted routines and social distancing rules, while some adults appreciated the reduction in sensory and social overload.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study relied on self-reported data from an online sample, which may introduce selection bias and underrepresent individuals with more severe autism or intellectual disabilities. The survey captured only the immediate experiences during the early weeks of the pandemic, so it does not reflect long-term psychological impacts. The sample was predominantly from Belgium, and findings may not generalize to other countries or cultures outside of Europe. The autism and non-autism groups differed in employment status and pre-existing mental health diagnoses, which could influence the reported levels of stress and anxiety.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds and the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek. No other conflicts of interest were declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that adults with autism experienced more social isolation than neurotypical adults during the pandemic. The study found that the non-autism group reported feeling more socially isolated, while the autism group reported feeling more relieved from social stress, although they did struggle with the loss of specific support networks.