Children with autism 'refusing to leave home' and becoming obsessed with pandemic news coverage, study finds

Anxiety was the most prevalent issue raised by half of all parents surveyed, with issues around routine and sleep being raised by 36.8% of participants, while emotional regulation was a problem in almost a third – 30.8% – of children. File picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

More than two-thirds of children with autism have developed new Covid-related behaviours such as refusing to leave the family home, a new fear of death, excessive hand-washing and hygiene routines, or an obsession with news coverage of the pandemic, a new study has found.

The research, which surveyed 85 parents of 98 children aged 18 and under, highlighted the strain of restrictions on behaviour, skills and abilities.