Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42165059›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in psychiatry2026

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on autism spectrum disorder service providers in Qatar: challenges, insights, and lessons learned.

Fouad Alshaban, Iman Ghazal, Fatema Al-Faraj, Sarah Aqel, Sanaa T Al-Harahsheh, Mustafa Lotfy, Hawraa Al-Shammari, I Richard Thompson, Assal Nasir, Mohamed Tolefat

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Article in Frontiers in psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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

10 authors.

Fouad AlshabanNeurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Iman GhazalNeurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Fatema Al-FarajNeurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Sarah AqelNeurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Sanaa T Al-HarahshehWorld Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Mustafa LotfyCommunity Outreach, Qatar Autism Family Association, Doha, Qatar.
Hawraa Al-ShammariNeurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
I Richard ThompsonNorth East and Yorkshire NHS Genomic Laboratory Hub, England, United Kingdom.
Assal NasirDepartment of Biological Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
Mohamed TolefatAutism Department, Shafallah Center for Children with Disabilities, Doha, Qatar.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted essential services, posing unique challenges for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who depend on consistent, specialized support. Service providers faced unique challenges in adapting to remote delivery methods, highlighting the fragility of existing systems during crises. This study explored the experiences of ASD service providers in Qatar during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online survey of 66 ASD service providers in Qatar was conducted. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, and likelihood ratio tests, with qualitative responses assessed through thematic analysis. Results: Most service providers (90.9%) worked remotely during the pandemic, with 81.8% engaging in online services. Providers reported significant skill regression in individuals with ASD. Stress levels were notably high (42.4%) and significantly associated with emotional tolls [p = 0.017, LR = 4.887], financial strains [p = 0.008, LR = 4.337], and personal challenges [p = 0.008, LR = 3.203]. Thematic analysis revealed decreased therapy effectiveness and difficulties in balancing work with family responsibilities. Conclusion: These findings suggest the importance of adaptive service delivery systems that maintain continuity of care during crises. Strengthening autism service infrastructure and developing resilient models are essential to safeguard autism support for future emergencies.

Indexed as

ASDCOVID-19service providerssocial restrictionsstresssupport

Identifiers

PMID42165059
PMCPMC13183810

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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.