According to Ambitious about Autism, the mental health and wellbeing of autistic children and young people has deteriorated significantly in lockdown.
During Children’s Mental Health Week 2021, the charity has published research revealing that nearly two thirds (63%) of autistic children and young people’s mental health is worse than before the outbreak of the pandemic.
The survey of over 2000 autistic children and young people and their parents and carers commissioned by the charity, reveals the fallout from the pandemic could be long-lasting for these already vulnerable young people.
Young people and parents report that access to vital mental health services and other support services during the pandemic has been disrupted. Before Coronavirus more than half of respondents (58%) said they were receiving specialist support in education and one fifth were receiving mental health support. However, 80% said this support reduced or stopped during the first lockdown. Two-thirds of people said they did not receive any support. This can have devastating consequences for autistic children and young people and their families.
To improve the situation, during the pandemic, Ambitious about Autism has been running online peer support sessions for autistic young people nationally, helping them connect with others and promote mental wellbeing during this challenging time.