A comparison of social, emotional, behavioral difficulties and quality of life and sleep habits of 6-11 years old children with authisic and normal development during the Covid-19 pandemic

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disorder. This disorder significantly affects the individual cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally and socially. For this reason, it is thought that the levels of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which affects the whole world, will be different. Based on this idea, the aim of the study is to compare the social, emotional, behavioral difficulties and quality of life and sleep habits of children with autism and normal development, who attend primary school aged 6-11, during the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 74 people, including 37 people with ASD, 11 girls and 26 boys, and 37 people with normal development ,15 girls and 22 boys, participated in the study. Information for children was obtained from their mothers. In this context, a questionnaire including a personal information form, Pediatric Quality of Life Scale-Parent Form, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire was applied to the mothers. As a result of the analysis, it was found that children with ASD had worse sleep habits and had more difficulties than children with normal development. The quality of life scores of children with ASD differ according to the number of technological devices in the house. Significant relationships were found between the quality of life scores of children with ASD, their sleep habits, and strengths and difficulties scores. Finally, it was observed that the quality of life increased and sleep habits improved due to the increase in the time spent by mothers with their children. The findings are considered important in terms of examining the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on individuals with ASD who need special education.