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Friendships play a key role in supporting a successful transition to a new school for autistic children and young people. However, little is known about how these relationships have been impacted by restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore how parents perceived the impact of COVID-19 on their autistic child's friendships during transition to a new school. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 parents of autistic children in the United Kingdom. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Parents discussed a variety of experiences, which differed between and within school types and age groups. Several factors influenced children's friendships during transition including support from their new school and others' understanding of their needs. Parents described the differing expectations of what friendship was and how that affected their children's existing and new relationships. For some, COVID-19 negatively impacted on friendships by reducing contact with existing and new friends. Others experienced positive or neutral experiences due to lockdown restrictions. This study highlights the diversity of needs among autistic children and calls for a personalised approach to transition support beyond the pandemic as one way of supporting autistic children to develop positive peer relationships.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the academic year in September 2020 was a unique time for those transitioning to a new school. This study aimed to explore the experiences of parents who supported autistic children making a range of different school transitions in 2020. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 parents of autistic children in the UK, and data were analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis. For some parents, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted on aspects of school transitions. However, other parents expressed the view that these same circumstances created opportunities to approach the school transition in a unique, improved manner. This article sheds light on the heterogeneity of experiences and perceptions of parents of autistic children, and highlights the need to examine the impact of COVID-19 on school transitions, including practices that it may be advantageous to retain.

Parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the UK (n = 241) were asked to describe the impact of COVID-19 on their own mental health and that of their child. An inductive content analysis of the data was undertaken. Both parents and children appear to be experiencing loss, worry and changes in mood and behaviour as a result of the rapid social changes that have occurred. Some parents reported feeling overwhelmed and described the impact of child understanding and awareness. Finally, a minority of parents reported that COVID-19 has had little impact on mental health in their family, or has even led to improvements. Implications for how to support these families in the immediate future are discussed.

Parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the UK (n = 241) were asked to describe the impact of COVID-19 on their own mental health and that of their child. An inductive content analysis of the data was undertaken. Both parents and children appear to be experiencing loss, worry and changes in mood and behaviour as a result of the rapid social changes that have occurred. Some parents reported feeling overwhelmed and described the impact of child understanding and awareness. Finally, a minority of parents reported that COVID-19 has had little impact on mental health in their family, or has even led to improvements. Implications for how to support these families in the immediate future are discussed., Author(s): Kathryn Asbury [sup.1] , Laura Fox [sup.1] , Emre Deniz [sup.1] , Aimee Code [sup.1] , Umar Toseeb [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.5685.e, 0000 0004 1936 9668, Department of [...]

Friendships play a key role in supporting a successful transition to a new school for autistic children and young people. However, little is known about how these relationships have been impacted by restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore how parents perceived the impact of COVID-19 on their autistic child's friendships during transition to a new school. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 14 parents of autistic children in the United Kingdom. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Parents discussed a variety of experiences, which differed between and within school types and age groups. Several factors influenced children's friendships during transition including support from their new school and others' understanding of their needs. Parents described the differing expectations of what friendship was and how that affected their children's existing and new relationships. For some, COVID-19 negatively impacted on friendships by reducing contact with existing and new friends. Others experienced positive or neutral experiences due to lockdown restrictions. This study highlights the diversity of needs among autistic children and calls for a personalised approach to transition support beyond the pandemic as one way of supporting autistic children to develop positive peer relationships. Research shows that moving schools can be a challenging time for autistic children and young people. One factor that has been found to support successful transition is friendships. However, there is little research exploring how transition between schools affects autistic children's friendships, and even less on how children's relationships during transition have been impacted by COVID-19. Fourteen parents of autistic children and young people were interviewed about their child's move to a new school and the impact they felt this had on their friendships. Parents described how moving with existing friends helped some children to find the transition less challenging. Others had differing experiences, with their children's friendships playing a much smaller role in the move. Differences were also seen with regard to the impact of COVID-19, with some parents speaking of how hard being away from friends was for their child, while others found the social restrictions a welcome break from interacting with peers. The study highlights how different the experiences of autistic individuals, and their parents, can be and the importance of a child-centred approach to transition support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the efforts of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides to uphold the integrity of the Endangered Species Act and compel federal agencies to protect threatened and endangered species from the dangers of pesticides. Manifestations of pesticide contamination of the environment are cited. However, federal regulations that removed wildlife scientists from the process of determining whether pesticides were harming endangered wildlife, were approved. Because of this, NCAP filed a lawsuit against these regulations.

Reports on the initiatives undertaken by the environmentalists in the U.S. Protection of endangered species from pesticides; Proposals to amend the Endangered Species Act by the Bush Administration; Reaction of wildlife biologists and environment-friendly citizens to the proposed amendment.

This article describes several trends in urban pesticide use. Several studies conducted in Northern California revealed an increase in the urban use of pyrethroids following the phasing out of the home and garden uses of insecticides diazinon and chlorpyrifos. It was in 2004 that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prohibited the urban uses of diazinon and chlorpyrifos due to a number of health concerns. For instance, exposure to diazinon was associated with increased risk of brain cancer in children.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to deny a petition filed by the pesticide industry and the Environmental Protection Agency to overturn efforts to protect salmon in the country. Such decision is significant to the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. Salmon will now be protected both by buffers and by posting warning signs informing communities about the risks surrounding salmon in relation to pesticide use.

The article encourages members of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides to help protect salmon from pesticides by checking if home improvement, garden, and hardware stores are complying with a court ruling which requires them to warn customers who buy products containing common pesticides. The warning is a notice that tell buyers that products that contains four herbicides and three insecticides can harm salmon. Warning notice is required to be provided to purchasers in Washington, Oregon, and California that are located in areas where threatened or endangered salmon live.

Comments on the move of the Oregon legislature to provide funding for the state's pesticide use reporting system from 2006 to 2007. Compromise that provided the funding; Process of reporting pesticide use; Criticism on the new law; Significance of the data on educational initiatives by the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides.

Reports on the ruling of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that prohibits the use of pesticides in salmon-supporting waters in California, Oregon and Washington on June 30, 2005. Overview of additional protections from the ruling; Progress of a case that seeks to protect the endangered Barton Springs salamander in Texas; Efforts of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides to ensure compliance to the laws.

The article reports on the increasing use of pesticides in the U.S. as of June 2005. The Environmental Protection Agency phased out two common household insecticides, diazinon and chlorpyrifos due to its effect on health and environmental risk. The report "Toxic Tradeoff: Exit Diazinon Enter Carbaryl," found that people switched to the hazardous insecticide carbaryl. It was found that the sales for carbaryl increased tenfold over a one year period. Washington Toxics Coalition staff Philip Dickey looked if there was also an increase in water contamination. It was suggested that consumers should turn to pesticide-free solutions for pest control.

Reports on the imposition of the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Evaluation of the risks pesticides pose to threatened and endangered species; Protection of endangered salmon from pesticides; Impact of the regulation on the development of environmental protection.

Reports on the efforts of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) to protect salmon from pesticides in 2004. Lawsuit filed by the NCAP and its allies to limit the pesticide industry's inside influence at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Court order banning the use of 38 pesticides near salmon supporting waters from southern California to Puget Sound in Washington; Implications on wildlife protection.

Reports on the efforts of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NACP) and other pesticide and watchdog conservation groups to halt the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) illegal level of industry influence. Pesticide industry's establishment of a task force to identify locations of endangered species; Task force's advocacy of the circumvention by the EPA of the Endangered Species Act for pesticide uses that harm federally protected species; Call for the EPA to stop using the task force as a preferred source of advice.

Reports on the establishment of buffers around streams to protect salmon from pesticides in the U.S. Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides' legal victory in 2002 in which Judge John Coughenour found that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had the legal obligation to review the impacts of pesticide use and curtail uses that harm endangered salmon; Launch of the second phase of the Coalition's lawsuit.

Reports on the adoption of an ordinance in Lane County, Oregon that emphasizes the prevention of weeds and the use of non-chemical alternatives. Management of the vegetation along Lane County; Efforts of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides to reduce roadside spraying in Lane County.

Reports on developments in the Endangered Species Act lawsuit filed against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by the National Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP). Names of anti-pesticides groups who allied with NCAP; Testimony of expert witness for the pesticide industry John Lacadie claiming that an insecticide containing diflunemzuron would not affect a salmon's habitat.

Reports on legislative support for the pesticide tracking law in Oregon. Public's right to know about pesticide use; Funding for the tracking program; Proposed expansion of pesticide dealer fee.

Reports on the injunction filed by the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and other concerned groups to minimize salmon's exposure to harmful pesticides. Interim protection measures proposed.

Discusses the funding for Oregon's pesticide right-to-know program to track pesticide use. Use of stone soup process; Amount allocated to design a permanent system to collect and release pesticide use data.

Lay Abstract: Research shows that moving schools can be a challenging time for autistic children and young people. One factor that has been found to support successful transition is friendships. However, there is little research exploring how transition between schools affects autistic children's friendships, and even less on how children's relationships during transition have been impacted by COVID-19. Fourteen parents of autistic children and young people were interviewed about their child's move to a new school and the impact they felt this had on their friendships. Parents described how moving with existing friends helped some children to find the transition less challenging. Others had differing experiences, with their children's friendships playing a much smaller role in the move. Differences were also seen with regard to the impact of COVID-19, with some parents speaking of how hard being away from friends was for their child, while others found the social restrictions a welcome break from interacting with peers. The study highlights how different the experiences of autistic individuals, and their parents, can be and the importance of a child-centred approach to transition support.