Extreme measures, like house confinement and the closure of establishments and services such as schools, were part of the lockdown that was imposed by governments as part of the effort to contain the COVID-19 epidemic. Various studies were then conducted to learn about the significant impacts of COVID-19 on children with autism during this period. The effects of the pandemic on children with autism from the viewpoint of parents and teachers were extensively researched. However, the lived experiences of the children from their perspective are not yet fully explored. This paper is conducted to understand and draw insights into the impact of COVID-19 from the first-hand experiences of children with autism what are the challenges in learning through online modality and what are the coping mechanism they exhibit in this adversity. This will help educators draw out ideas on how we can support and help learners with autism holistically as we shift back to the new normal. To identify and get the instances with a wide range of information and make the best use of the limited resources available, purposive sampling is a technique that is frequently employed in qualitative research (Patton, 2002). This study uses thematic analysis, where the information obtained is evaluated by looking through a data set to find, evaluate, and report recurring trends. (Braun and Clarke 2006). Based on the results of the combined questionnaires and interviews, shows that the teachers experiences in terms of teaching strategies, coping mechanisms, and support from parents and schools before the pandemic in teaching children with autism are presented best, during the pandemic are presented worst and after the pandemic they experienced average. On the other hand, the parents experiences in terms of their childrens behavior and academic progress, the parents coping mechanism, and the teachers and school support before the pandemic presented as good, during the pandemic bad, and after the pandemic are presented well. Moreover, the researcher recommended that for teachers to prepare the learners in the same scenario that will happen in the future, through social stories since repetition is one aspect that children with autism manifest. The parents should be consistent, and what the teachers and the therapist are teaching their children should be followed up at home, so that the children will not have a hard time adjusting. Lastly, schools should equip their teachers with skills and knowledge in dealing with students who need extra care, understanding, and patience.

experience

pandemic

COVID-19

Autism Specturm Disorder

special education

qualitative research

Parents' Experiences

Inclusive education

Special Education Teachers

learners with disabilities

ASD