Abstract

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Background:
 This study focuses on the direct and indirect implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults with Autism in India. This study took into account the social isolation during the global pandemic in 2020 and its effect on the emotional well-being of the community.
 Methods:
 We designed a survey involving Indian residents. Part I involved questionnaires for different cohorts: 1) educated, 2) employed and 3) unemployed. The questions were based on proposed life models to maintain the heterogeneity according to the preferences of the target group. Part II of involved online interviews conducted in English. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed.
 Findings:
 The analyses of participants’ responses (N=10) stipulated that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autistic people's mental health has been variable. Participants encountered both positive and negative emotions. Factors such as disrupted schedules, fear of job loss, poor domestic support system and inconsistency in transition were important. These were associated with development of new or worsening of pre-existing psychological as well as behavioural conditions including depression, anxiety, panic attacks and high-stress levels. At the same time, reduced interactions with decreased social insistence led to an improvement for some participants.
 Interpretation:
 Our results illustrate the deterioration of mental health and well-being for Autistic adults due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings emphasise the need for the development of innovative approaches and investment in the creation of support systems to address mental distress in this population.
Highlights
In the last two decades, several viral epidemics such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1) from 2002 to 2003, and H1N1 influenza in 2009, have been recorded [1]
This study aims to analyse the correlation between the development and exacerbation of mental health disorders and COVID-19 in individuals with Autism
All participants reported having received information about the coronavirus, where the sources of information were COVID-19 websites (50%), social media (50%), News Channels (40%), Newspapers (20%), and family and friends (1%)
Summary
In the last two decades, several viral epidemics such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1) from 2002 to 2003, and H1N1 influenza in 2009, have been recorded [1]. Since December 2019 the entire world has been affected by the SARS-CoV-2 infection that emerged in Wuhan, China, leading to huge afflictions on health and lives. Various studies have reported an increase in psychological distress and most relevant psychological presentations as uncertainties and fears [3], pervasive anxiety [4], and disabling loneliness [5]. Long-term isolation/quarantine, with mass lockdowns and economic recession, is predicted to lead to increases in suicide as well as mental health conditions [6]. Not just the general population and healthcare professionals and front-line workers have been displaying a higher risk of mental health problems due to work under extreme pressure to diagnose, treat, and care for COVID-19 patients [8]. This study took into account the social isolation during the global pandemic in 2020 and its effect on the emotional well-being of the community
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