Documenting an explorative study carried out with 20 learners with autism aged 14-19, a new report published by the British Educational Research Association [BERA] considers the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the learners’ health and wellbeing and suggests methods of safeguarding in case of similar crises in future.
The report was co-authored by Dr Abide Zenenga, founder and headteacher of Riverside Education; NHS Education Mental Health Practitioner, Felicia Towobola; and Mathew Nyashanu, senior lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University.
The findings detail the impact of the health crisis on the health and wellbeing of children and young learners with autism across two specialist schools in the West Midlands, one of which is Riverside Education. It uncovers difficult experiences that the pupils have faced grappling with 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 the virus.
The report concludes that autistic learners and their families require a number of action points to be taken to help mitigate the devastating impact of the pandemic, including service continuity and greater non-academic support from schools when they are closed, as well as further guidance and support on how to manage autism at home, and prevent stress, anxiety and other mental health problems.
The document also suggests that targeted loss and grief counselling services should also be made available to those affected and recommends that an independent national agency should shoulder the responsibility of providing clear guidelines for learning professionals and parents in the event of another pandemic or similar emergency.
The full report as published by BERA can be accessed here.
