Children With Autism Post-COVID-19: Assessing Potential Regression of Skills

COVID-19 has changed all of our daily lives and temporarily paused in-person services for many children with autism. A pause or decrease in ABA services might result in a regression of skills or increase in problem behaviors. Our clinicians at Trumpet are committed to helping your child succeed now and in the future. Trumpet has created an assessment process to identify a regression in skills or increase in problem behavior once your in-person ABA services resume.

What Is Regression and Why Does It Occur?

Regression presents in several different ways; some children may have difficulty maintaining previously learned skills, while other children may have an increase in problem behavior. This can include a regression in social skills and language skills, or having to restart the toilet training process.

To adhere to government and health guidelines and protect our families and staff, Trumpet paused many of our in-person services. While Trumpet has and continues to offer telehealth, this is not a substitute for intensive in-person therapy. If your child’s services were placed on hold, or he/she received less-intensive telehealth-based parent training or direct therapy services, your child may experience a regression.

How Will Trumpet Treat Children With Autism Post-COVID-19 Restrictions?

We understand that COVID-19 has affected all of our lives in a different way. Even if your child isn’t showing signs of regression, every Trumpet client will receive an assessment of all active goals once services are resumed. During the assessment, your therapy team will probe skills and problem behaviors to capture a new baseline. The assessment information will be used to inform changes to the intervention program. Trumpet clinicians will update the plan to address regression and help your child regain their prior levels of progress. If your child’s therapy plan is changed, the supervising clinician will review the updated plan with you and provide additional training as needed.

If you want more information about how to support your child during this time, or to learn more about Trumpet’s plans once services are resumed, don’t hesitate to contact us or speak with your clinical team. We’re here to support your family in whatever way possible.