Navigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals with Autism and Their Families

A cozy living space setup for learning at home during the pandemic.

Autism, COVID, and the Strength We Don’t Always See

The COVID-19 pandemic turned life upside down for just about everyone — but for families like mine, for people like me, it didn’t just change the rules. It took away the playbook.

Autistic individuals often thrive on routine, structure, and familiar support systems. When those things vanish overnight, the result isn’t just discomfort — it’s disorientation. It’s not just a missed appointment or a late Zoom session. It’s a loss of emotional stability, of connection, of the scaffolding that holds our days together.

And yet, somehow, we kept going.

When the World Shifted, So Did Our Needs

Autism isn’t about being broken or behind — it’s about experiencing the world differently. But when the pandemic hit, many of the systems that help bridge those differences collapsed. School routines disappeared. Therapy sessions went online, or away altogether. And 70% of parents reported their autistic children regressed emotionally or behaviorally. That’s not a small statistic — that’s a seismic shift.

For a community that often relies on in-person cues, virtual learning and remote therapy weren’t just inconvenient — they were ineffective. And in a world full of tech glitches and screen fatigue, it’s hard to express what you need, let alone feel heard.

Social Distancing Isn’t the Same as Emotional Distance — But It Felt Like It

When support groups closed and therapy centers shut their doors, so many families felt cut off. Eight out of ten, in fact. And that isolation wasn’t just social — it was structural. It was the sudden removal of safe spaces and trusted resources.

People often talk about how hard transitions are for autistic individuals. Now imagine every part of your life changing at once. Every sound, every space, every face you trusted — all gone or reconfigured into a screen. No wonder anxiety rose. No wonder mental health declined. But we don’t always talk about that part.

Mental Health Matters — More Than Ever

Stress skyrocketed for families — and understandably so. Between job loss, remote school, therapy interruptions, and health concerns, 55% of parents of autistic children said their stress levels were higher than ever.

Telehealth helped some. But access wasn’t equal. Internet gaps and tech limitations created a new kind of exclusion. And for a population that already battles being overlooked, that extra barrier stung.

Home Became the New Classroom — But Not Every Home Was Ready

Remote learning didn’t work for everyone. In fact, only 40% of parents felt their child with autism was getting a meaningful education during online schooling. And yet, families adapted. Some built mini-classrooms in their kitchens. Others color-coded schedules or turned hallways into sensory-safe zones.

It wasn’t perfect — but it was something. It was love. It was resilience.

Routines Were Rewritten — But So Was Our Strength

One of the most powerful things I’ve seen during the pandemic is the way families showed up for each other. They built new routines, not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. They introduced art and nature walks and calming playlists. They made magic out of stress.

I know people who learned to cook during lockdown. People who discovered joy in new hobbies. Families who learned that resilience doesn’t mean pretending everything’s okay — it means continuing anyway.

Community Still Matters — Even When It’s Virtual

Virtual support groups. Facebook groups. Local nonprofits hosting Zoom hangouts. The pandemic reminded us that community isn’t always about proximity — it’s about showing up.

And it also reminded us how powerful inclusive resources can be. When community centers offered activity kits or sensory-friendly video series, they weren’t just checking a box. They were sending a message: You still matter. We haven’t forgotten you.

Looking Ahead — But Not Backward

We’re not returning to “normal.” And honestly? That’s okay.

Instead, we have a chance to build something better. A world that includes autistic individuals not as an afterthought, but from the beginning. That means educational reform. Mental health access. Flexible therapy options. And policies that reflect real life, not just ideal conditions.

The work is far from over. But the vision? It’s crystal clear.

We Didn’t Just Survive — We Grew

The pandemic didn’t erase our progress. It challenged it. And in many ways, it revealed our hidden strengths. The parents who learned to be therapists, teachers, and advocates overnight. The autistic individuals who found ways to regulate and connect in brand-new environments.

We’ve been through a lot — and we still showed up.

As we look ahead, let’s keep that momentum. Let’s support each other in real, tangible ways. Let’s make sure no autistic child, teen, or adult is left out of the recovery.

We deserve support that works — not just in a crisis, but always.