Researchers are weighing up the impact of lockdown on people with autism.
Families saw respite stripped back and education services cut during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jen says the lockdown experience was “terrifying”
Francesca Happé, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at King’s College London, is leading the research.
In a tweet, the academic said the study will compare how the lockdown affected the health of those with and without autism.
Lockdown ‘terrifying’
Jen, 44, who does not want to reveal her surname, has led a campaign against the law on wearing masks on transport and in shops.
She has autism herself as well as two daughters, aged 11 and 16, with the condition.
Jen, from Birmingham, said she found lockdown “terrifying”, “oppressive” and “awful”.
She described lockdown as being “imprisoned” by the Government.
‘Near breaking point’
Miriam Gwynne, 43, from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, is a mother to 11-year-old autistic twins Isaac and Naomi.
As well as autism, Isaac has a learning disability. He can be challenging when his sensory needs are not met.
Naomi does not have a learning disability, but suffers with anxiety.
Gwynne said the lockdown left her near breaking point.
She said the family initially managed without support when the lockdown started on 16 March.
Gwynne described this period as “horrendous”. She said authorities expected families to be “superhuman”.
Later, when Gwynne’s local council reinstated some support services, she said the family’s position became more manageable.
Legal ‘easements’ due to end
Under the Emergency Coronavirus Act, councils were able to step back from their normal duties by using the “easements” under the law.
Under the easements, councils only had to show that they had made ‘reasonable endeavours’ to provide education.
But the easements will end on 25 September, with legal rights fully restored.
The UK Government said the strict lockdown measures were necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
- Campaign to scrap rules on face masks
- Face mask rules leave people in fear
- Concern at ignorance of mask exemptions
- Autism exemption for travel masks
- Disability rights due to be restored
