Nationwide survey gathering responses from 1,334 Autistic people and caregivers demonstrates continuing and lasting impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Autistic people in Canada.
The 2023 Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment Survey was conducted to better understand the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Autistic adults, caregivers, and their Autistic children. A report of the complete survey results is now available. Production of this report was made possible through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Four key findings from the survey include the following:
- Changes in access to services and supports were generally accompanied by changes to health. Importantly, worse access meant worsened health.
- Remote delivery of many health professional services was more acceptable for meeting autistic adult and caregiver needs, but less acceptable for meeting autistic children’s needs.
- Caregivers felt certain or somewhat certain that the COVID-19 pandemic slowed overall child development for two-thirds of the children they reported on.
- Autistic caregivers were likely to have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic differently than non-autistic caregivers, in several different ways.The report is available in English and French and is presented in short and long formats.
The report is available in English and French and is presented in short and long formats.