Young children with autism spectrum disorder, and their families who don t know it yet, are another victim of the coronavirus pandemic, according to experts.
Professionals in New Jersey say the COVID-19 crisis, which has been impacting the state since March 2020, is likely delaying early diagnosis of the developmental disorder among countless youth. Delaying care, delaying an assessment, delaying a diagnosis even 11 months, that can be a very long time, especially when you re talking about a kid that might only be 26 months old, Matthew Hess, CEO of Cherry Hill-based First Children Services, told New Jersey 101.5.
One obvious barrier, Hess said, is that many children who ve aged into the public school system, and would otherwise be face to face with education professionals who can spot potential signs of autism, continue to learn remotely or in a hybrid fashion.
Mental health crisis? Here is where to find help in NJ
If you or a loved one is in IMMEDIATE crisis, DO NOT WAIT. Call 9-1-1.
New Jersey was in the midst of a mental health crisis even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit nine months ago. The lockdown restrictions have only made a bad situation worse.
Leading clinicians and mental health experts cite a number of factors that can cause mental health issues like anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder or suicidal thoughts to erupt or worsen. They include: isolation, more downtime, less access to family and friends, little social interaction and loss of routine or structure. Pandemic restrictions have caused all of that and more.
More youngsters seeking mental-health treatment due to COVID-19
Published: January 18, 2021
Lyric Keyer, 13, of Laurel Springs, attends a school designed for children with social anxiety and other challenges (Photo provided by Mark Keyer)
Because she had been battling anxiety long before COVID-19 started dismantling normal life, 13-year-old Lyric Keyer is in constant contact with counselors at her transitional school.
She attends five days a week that s one reason, according to her father Mark Keyer, Lyric is managing the pandemic as well as she can. She does experience anxiety from some of the things that are taking place, Keyer, of Laurel Springs, told Townsquare Media News. She s probably been a little more discouraged than previously. That, on top of the fear of what s being explained out there there s obviously that fear that she might get COVID, or a grandparent of her friend might get it so that s why she can t go associate with her friend.