Emotional and Behavioral Impacts of the February 6, 2023 Earthquake on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Evaluation from the Parental Perspective

Purpose: Earthquakes have serious psychosocial and emotional effects on children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents. The limited number of studies investigating the earthquake experience of children with ASD and their parents indicates a need to improve existing research in this area. The aim of this study was to assess parents' experiences with their children after the earthquake and their reactions to the earthquake.

Methods: This study was subjected to analysis via both phenomenological and thematic analysis methods on the basis of the results of semistructured interviews with the parents of 21 children with ASD who were receiving their education in special education and rehabilitation centers.

Results: Two principal themes were discerned: the first theme, entitled Post-Eartquake Responses in Children and the second, entitled Parents' Earthquake Experiences and Coping Strategies, were identified. Earthquakes had a significant effect on children's bodily, behavioural and emotional responses. In addition, parents were compelled to devise a range of coping strategies to manage their emotional responses to the earthquake and to facilitate their children's access to constrained educational opportunities and adapt to evolving social dynamics.

Conclusion: In disaster situations, access to multidisciplinary support programs for children diagnosed with ASD and their families is highly important. These programs, designed through collaboration across various fields of expertise, can offer comprehensive solutions to the emotional, social, and physical challenges faced by children and their families.