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Challenges for parents of children with autism during the Covid-19 pandemic are explored in this qualitative study. The effects of the pandemic period on the parents of autistic children and on their children are highlighted due to a semi-structured interview. The study participants were 10 mothers of children with autism from Western Romania selected by the snowball method. Interviews were carried out online and on phone, and response analysis was achieved through a category and subcategory system. The results highlight challenges in explaining pandemic peculiarities to autistic children; the difficulties of adapting and reorganizing the daily routine of family members, of time and resource management; the limited access to the support network and the limited social interaction with supporters; the increased financial pressure. The effects of the lack of school routine and of therapy services have engendered undesirable behaviours of children with autism, stagnation or regress in terms of certain acquisitions, and lack of opportunities to practice social skills. The results of the study contribute to the knowledge of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic among families of autistic children by specialists in the field of social sciences.
Keywords: autism, children, parents, Covid-19 pandemic, Romania
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