Changes in Symptom Severity and Sleeping Habits After Earthquake in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Case of the Kahramanmaras Earthquake in 2023, Turkey

Authors : Mehtap EROĞLU, Neşe YAKŞİ

Pages : 577-586

Doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1300908

View : 49 | Download : 75

Publication Date : 2023-10-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: Autism Spectrum Disorders insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ASD); are a group of diseases that appear with difficulties in social interaction and communication skills, limited repetitive interests and behaviours. Natural disasters, especially earthquakes, can cause psychological disorders. A review of the disaster literature shows that natural disasters do not affect individuals in the same way; children and people with disabilities such as ASD are considered the most vulnerable group. It was aimed to evaluate the post-earthquake effects on the children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD in the Kahramanmaras-centered earthquake on February 6, 2023. Methods: 22 children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD were included in the study. Children with ASD who applied to the Hatay Field Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinic three months after the earthquake were evaluated. Sociodemographic Data Form, Aberrant Behavior Checklist insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(AbBC);, the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CSHQ);, Autism Behavior Checklist insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ABC); scales were administered. Results: This study included 19 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(86.4%); boys and 3 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(13.6%); girls. The age of the participants was 9.92±3.52 years. AbBC-hyperactive insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);, AbBC-lethargy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.001);, AbBC-stereotype behaviours insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);, AbBC-other behaviours insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001); subscale scores; the CSHQ-sleep anxiety insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.008); subscale score; the ABC-sensory behaviour insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.017);, ABC-social rating insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.034);, ABC-social and adaptive skills insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.026); subscales scores significantly increased after the earthquake compared to pre-earthquake. Conclusion: The study\`s findings give information about the increase in the severity of autism symptoms in this group after the earthquake, that is, the worsening in the clinic. This study contributes to the literature by evaluating the impact of an important natural disaster, such as an earthquake on children and adolescents with ASD. We suggest that future studies compare different severity of ASD and further research on areas that have not been studied enough.
Keywords : autism, earthquake, natural disaster, child, Kahramanmaras, Turkey