New DCU study
Children with autism are "refusing to leave home" & are becoming increasingly fixated with news coverage regarding the pandemic, that's according to a new DCU study.
63% of children showed a decline in skills while schools were closed.
Dr. Sinéad Smyth, Senior Lecturer at DCU's School of Psychology noted anxiety is a prominent issue among people with autism, & anxiety levels are increasing, but not necessarily related to the pandemic.
The study's findings were from the period of September 2020 to February 2021.
73% students' parents reported their child(ren) faced specific challenges "in the weeks leading up to and after the return to school."
Dr. Sinéad Smyth joined Clem Ryan on this morning's edition of 'Kildare Today':

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