Gains from Covid Lockdown: Moving to Online Platforms for Better Service and Outcome in Autism

Abstract

In the gloom of uncertainties, the COVID era most certainly has necessitated a bevy of transitions in the healthcare domain. Moving on with these metamorphoses, the world is moving onto the virtual platform for healthcare, accepting it as one of the primary means of availing healthcare services. The effect of the pandemic on children with special needs, especially on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been of utmost concern since then. The aim of this program was to help overcome the challenges faced by families in accessing developmental pediatrician led multidisciplinary treatment for ASD (e.g., in smaller cities etc.) and delivering an intervention program in the home and community. With the virtual format quickly gaining traction, theE-nable Parent Coaching program was thus introduced, facilitating improvement in developmental trajectories and functional outcomes in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with complex neurodevelopmental profiles across the globe through an outcome- based, individualized, interdisciplinary approach based on the Theory of interaction. Five cases of children with ASD with varying severity have been reported that illustrate the functional improvement across various domains within months of the program; much in contrast to long term therapies often failing to deliver the desired clinical outcomes. Our findings revealed resolution of co-morbidities without the role of exogenous pharmacotherapy or long standing intensive behavioural interventions. The paradigm shift from conventional therapies to targeted goal- oriented interventions solely based on meticulously designed and structured parent coaching based on the Theory of Social Interaction has shown remarkable clinical outcomes.