The relationship between irritability and autism symptoms in children with ASD in COVID‐19 home confinement period

Objective This study investigated the impact of COVID‐19 home confinement on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms and irritability in children and adolescents with ASD. Method The study participants included 46 drug‐naive children aged 4‐17 years diagnosed with ASD. Parents of the participants completed the Autism Behaviour Checklist (AuBC) and Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) scales for both normal conditions and COVID‐19 home confinement. Results All subscale scores for AuBC (sensory, relating, body and object use, language, and social and self‐help) and ARI scores significantly increased during the COVID‐19 home confinement period (P