Documenting an explorative qualitative study involving 20 learners with autism aged 14–19 based in the West Midlands region of England, this report considers the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their health and wellbeing, and suggests effective interventions to safeguard them during future crises. 

Report summary

This report explores the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the health and wellbeing of children and young learners with autism in two specialist schools in the West Midlands region of England. It reveals experiences of social isolation, anxiety, grief and increased tensions at home, as well as feelings of uncertainty and a lack of safety arising due to changing and confusing guidance about Covid-19. It concludes that autistic learners and their parents need:

• service continuity and greater non-academic support from schools when they are closed
• more guidance and support on how to manage autism at home, and to prevent stress, anxiety and other mental health problems
• provision of targeted loss and grief counselling services
• an independent national agency tasked with providing clear guidelines for learning professionals and parents in the event of another pandemic or similar emergency.