Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41300219›Full record

ArticleBrain sciences2025

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children with ASD and ADHD in Northern Greece: A Pilot Study.

Efterpi Pavlidou, Anna Samara, Sofia Michailidou, Maria Kinali, Martha Spilioti, Nafsika Ziavra

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Article in Brain sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Efterpi PavlidouSpeech and Language Therapy Department, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45000 Ioannina, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-1542-0070
Anna SamaraSpeech and Language Therapy Department, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45000 Ioannina, Greece.
Sofia MichailidouSpeech and Language Therapy Department, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45000 Ioannina, Greece.
Maria KinaliDepartment of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-2272-2162
Martha SpiliotiNeurology Department, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Nafsika ZiavraSpeech and Language Therapy Department, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45000 Ioannina, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-5063-7312

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted the daily lives of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Lockdowns, therapy interruptions, and reduced access to educational and healthcare services significantly affected developmental progress and family functioning. This pilot study aimed to assess the long-term impact of the pandemic on children with ASD and ADHD in Northern Greece and to explore consequences for their families in the post-pandemic period.

methodsParents or legal guardians of 72 children (ages 2-17 years) with confirmed diagnoses of ASD (

resultsMost participants were boys (77.8%) and in primary school (73.6%). Common co-occurring conditions included learning difficulties (33.3%), anxiety (8.3%), and epilepsy (6.9%). Nearly half of families (45.8%) reported therapy reductions exceeding 70%, while 29.2% accessed online therapy, often with limited perceived effectiveness. New behavioral symptoms emerged in 45.8% of children, including irritability, anxiety, and emotional instability. Parental psychological distress was reported by 29.2% of caregivers. Screen time increased in over 90% of cases, and 87.5% of parents perceived the pandemic as negatively affecting their child. Financial strain was noted by 37.5% of families.

conclusionsThe findings highlight the significant developmental, psychological, and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for children with ASD and ADHD and their families. Service disruptions, unmet therapeutic needs, and increased caregiver burden emphasize the urgency of sustainable, flexible care models. Strengthening telehealth, integrating community-based interventions, and enhancing educational accommodations are essential for resilience in the post-pandemic era.

Indexed as

ADHDASDchildrenCOVID-19pandemic crisis

Identifiers

PMID41300219
PMCPMC12650278

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.