Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38767817›Full record

ArticleJournal of autism and developmental disorders2025

COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences of Families in Which a Child/Youth Has Autism and Their Service Providers: Perspectives and Lessons Learned.

David B Nicholas, Rosslynn T Zulla, Jill Cielsielski, Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, Olivia Conlon

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

David B NicholasFaculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, University of Calgary, Edmonton, AB, Canada. nicholas@ucalgary.ca.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4480-322X
Rosslynn T ZullaFaculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, University of Calgary, Edmonton, AB, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9881-830X
Jill CielsielskiFaculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, University of Calgary, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Lonnie ZwaigenbaumDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9607-0799
Olivia ConlonFaculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, University of Calgary, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Funding

CIHR Canadian Institutes of Health Research
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic children/youth and their families and on service providers are not yet well-understood. This study explored the lived experiences of families with an autistic child and service providers who support them regarding the impacts of the pandemic on service delivery and well-being.

methodsIn this qualitative study, families and service providers (e.g., early intervention staff, service providers, school personnel) supporting autistic children/youth were interviewed. Participants were recruited from a diagnostic site and two service organizations that support autistic children/youth.

resultsThirteen parents and 18 service providers participated in either an individual or group interview. Findings indicate challenges associated with pandemic restrictions and resulting service shifts. These challenges generally imposed negative experiences on the daily lives of autistic children/youth and their families, as well as on service providers. While many were adversely affected by service delivery changes, families and service agencies/providers pivoted and managed challenges. Shifts have had varied impacts, with implications to consider in pandemic planning and post-pandemic recovery.

conclusionResults highlight the need for autism-focused supports, as well as technology and pandemic preparedness capacity building within health, therapeutic and educational sectors in order to better manage shifts in daily routines during emergencies such as a pandemic. Findings also offer instructive consideration in service delivery post-pandemic.

Indexed as

Autistic DisorderCOVID-19FamilyParentsAdolescentAdultChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHealth PersonnelHumansMalePandemicsQualitative ResearchSARS-CoV-2AutismCOVID-19FamiliesPsychosocial impactsService deliveryService providers

Identifiers

PMID38767817
PMCPMC12296866

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.