Investigation of the Views' of the Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on Suspending Special Education during the Covid- 19 Pandemic Process

Abstract

This study aims to examine the views of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on curfew and suspension of special education during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research was carried out with the mothers of children with ASD who attend a special education center in Gaziosmanpasa, Istanbul. The research is a qualitative study conducted in the phenomenology pattern. Personal Information Form and Semi-Structured Interview Form prepared by the researchers were used to collect the data, and face-to-face interviews were conducted with the mothers. The analysis of the data was made with the content analysis method. According to the results obtained from the research findings, it was determined that suspension of special education due to Covid-19 has positive and negative effects on children with ASD. When the positive effects are examined, it has been revealed that the pandemic has mostly experienced changes in family relations on children with ASD. The area with the highest negative effects was reported as behavioral problems.