Exploring Behavioral Challenges Faced by Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder During the Corona Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

During the Coronavirus epidemic, this research aimed to evaluate the most prevalent behavioral issues encountered by students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) were filled out by a total of 150 students with ASD, ranging in age from 10 to 18 years old. The SCQ was used to evaluate the students' difficulties in social communication, and the SDQ was used to evaluate the students' levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity. These results underline the critical need for focused treatments to assist the social and emotional development of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during times of crisis, such as the Corona epidemic. We may assist in lessening the detrimental effect of the pandemic on the well-being and academic achievement of this vulnerable demographic if we proactively address the special demands and problems experienced by students with ASD.