The household communication experiencing autistic children during the earthquake

This study comparatively examined the communication status and communication difficulties of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) within the household before, during, and after the earthquake. In this context, a semi-structured interview form consisting of 69 questions was prepared, and interviews were conducted with 20 participants, including 19 mothers and one life coach, who are primary caregivers of children with autism from families who experienced the February 6, 2023, earthquake in Adana. Descriptive analyses and some difference and variance analyses were performed using the Jamovi program. In Adana, although the primary caregiver and the household they lived in remained the same after the earthquake compared to before, the prominence of the mother and father in the communication of children with ASD increased; children shifted from verbal communication to non-verbal methods such as gestures and bodily communication; reactions like inability to express themselves, crying, and anxiety increased; and limited changes were observed in their sleep patterns, communication styles, and play and homework routines. These results demonstrate the impact of family interaction, the preservation of routines, and environmental factors on the communication of children with ASD. Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Communication, Communication Difficulties, Disaster, Earthquake