THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN ON THE BEHAVIOURS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS OF CHILDREN ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM AND THEIR PARENTS IN MALAYSIA

The COVID-19 pandemic brought swift and devastating changes to children and families. The current thesis presents a series of papers that collectively explore the longitudinal behavioural and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on children on the autism spectrum and their parents in Malaysia, compared with typically developing parent-child dyads. Children's inattentive and hyperactive behaviours were exacerbated throughout the pandemic lockdowns. Moreover, the findings reveal the importance of children's psychological distress when addressing children's behaviours, especially among children on the autism spectrum. The studies highlight the urgent need for mental health support for children and parents in Malaysia.