Dr Chris Papadopoulos, Principal Lecturer in Public Health and director of health research at the University’s School of Healthcare Practice, was invited back onto BBC Radio 5 Live with his son Leo last week to discuss the impact that national lockdowns have had on children with autism.

They were originally interviewed in July regarding the first Covid-19 related restrictions and, having been chosen as one of the interviews of the year, returned to talk about the second lockdown imposed in November.

Also leader of London Autism Group Charity, Dr Papadopoulos said that his 10-year-old son was caused “distress and anxiety” by lockdowns as they prevented him from doing activities he enjoys and seeing the “people he needs to regulate”.

On the discussion being chosen by BBC Radio 5 Live as one of the year’s best, Dr Papadopoulos expressed his honour and hopes it can lead to greater support for those disproportionally affected by the restrictions. He said:

I'm genuinely honoured. BBC 5 Live must interview so many interesting guests across the year and to be chosen as one of the best is a big yet lovely surprise.

Leo enjoys being on the radio, he is a confident public speaker even though he has had severe challenges and delays with speech and language all of his life. He is aware that he was chosen as one of the station's favourites and was very excited when he found out. He kept asking me how many people will listen to it and whether people like him. He has become proud of being of being autistic and therefore very happy to talk about the realities of autism openly to others.

Talking publicly about this subject is very important because the general population may not realise the particular challenges that lockdowns and restrictions can have for people with disabilities. For autistic people in particular, who so often rely on predictable routine and structure that they have some control over, having such drastic changes to social life can easily lead to anxiety.

It is my hope that Government realise this and provide appropriate mental health support for autistic people and other populations disproportionally affected by the restrictions. Unfortunately I didn't note much of a governmental recognition of this in their recent Covid-19 impact assessment publication so continuing to talk about it publicly can hopefully raise awareness.

Honoured that @bbc5live has picked the interview they did with my amazing autistic son Leo as one of their best in 2020. We'll be talking with them again at 5.35pm tomorrow about the impact that #lockdown2 had for him so feel free to tune in

Big thanks to @Clack_Sam@lagcharity

— Dr Chris Papadopoulos (@chrispaps) December 6, 2020

Sam Clack, Broadcast Journalist for BBC Radio 5 Live Drive, chose the interview as one of the highlights of the year and believes it is important to return to stories that listeners can relate to. He said:

When Chris and Leo were on the show back in July the response from listeners was just staggering. So many parents of children with autism or adults with autism themselves got in touch to say they were so happy the subject was being discussed on air.

Every now and then a story comes along when the texts and the Tweets just light up and you know it’s going to be something quite special. For those relating to Chris and Leo the conversation was a conduit, a reflection of their own lives.

I wanted to get them back on the show because both of them spoke so well and because it truly is still a very difficult time for people with autism – just because there isn’t currently a lockdown doesn’t mean that the other restrictions aren’t affecting them.

On a human level, I think it is important to return to stories such as Chris and Leo’s and check in just to ask ‘how are you getting on?’. The response to them being back on the show last week was incredible yet again. People really find it helpful to have their own experiences reflected by others.

A leading voice on Covid-19 and its effects on mental health, Dr Papadopoulos has also recently been interviewed by BBC News Sky News about the tiered restriction system and by LBC News about the Pfizer vaccine.

The BBC interview from July can be listened to online. For more information about the London Autism Group Charity, visit their website.

For details about studying at the School of Healthcare Practice, see: www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/departments/hcp/