TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Behavioral Health of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
AU - Sanders, Jessica Solomon
AU - Pillai, Rajapillai L.I.
AU - Sturley, Rachel
AU - Sillau, Stefan
AU - Asato, Miya R.
AU - Aravamuthan, Bhooma R.
AU - Bonuck, Karen
AU - Cervenka, Mackenzie C.
AU - Hammond, Nancy
AU - Siegel, Joanne F.
AU - Siasoco, Vincent
AU - Margolis, Benjamin A.
N1 - Funding Information:
Supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants RO1 DK46952, P30 DK41296, P30 CA13330, and MO1 RR12248 and the Wilson's Disease Association.
PY - 2022/12/1
Y1 - 2022/12/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE: The authors examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the behavioral health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). METHODS: A modified version of the Coronavirus Health Impact Survey-Adapted for Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Conditions was sent to the authors' clinical networks and IDD-affiliated organizations from March to June 2021. RESULTS: In total, 437 people with IDD or their caregivers responded to the survey. Diagnoses included intellectual disability (51%) and autism spectrum disorder (48%). More than half (52%) of respondents reported worsened mental health. Losing access to services correlated with declining mental health. Interventions suggested to improve behavioral health included more time with friends and family (68%), more time outdoors (61%), and access to community activities (59%). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 affected the behavioral health of individuals with IDD. Survey results highlight the opportunity to leverage physical activity and pandemic-safe social supports as accessible means to mitigate gaps in services.
AB - OBJECTIVE: The authors examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the behavioral health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). METHODS: A modified version of the Coronavirus Health Impact Survey-Adapted for Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Conditions was sent to the authors' clinical networks and IDD-affiliated organizations from March to June 2021. RESULTS: In total, 437 people with IDD or their caregivers responded to the survey. Diagnoses included intellectual disability (51%) and autism spectrum disorder (48%). More than half (52%) of respondents reported worsened mental health. Losing access to services correlated with declining mental health. Interventions suggested to improve behavioral health included more time with friends and family (68%), more time outdoors (61%), and access to community activities (59%). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 affected the behavioral health of individuals with IDD. Survey results highlight the opportunity to leverage physical activity and pandemic-safe social supports as accessible means to mitigate gaps in services.
KW - Autism spectrum disorder
KW - Community mental health services
KW - Developmental disability
KW - Intellectual disability
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85143180010&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1176/appi.ps.202100524
DO - 10.1176/appi.ps.202100524
M3 - Article
C2 - 35734865
AN - SCOPUS:85143180010
VL - 73
SP - 1389
EP - 1392
JO - Hospital and Community Psychiatry
JF - Hospital and Community Psychiatry
SN - 1075-2730
IS - 12
ER -
