IJPR.2021.184
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 9; Issue 5 (October 2021)
Page No.: 4028-4034
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijpr.2021.184
Optimizing developmental outcomes by setting smart goals individualized home program for children with disabilities during COVID-19
Aarti Nair *1, Diya Nair 2, Megha Girdhar 3, Anchit Gugnani 4.
*1 PhD Scholar, NIMS College of Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
2 Speech & Language Pathologist & Audiologist, Latika Roy Foundation, 113/1 Vasant Vihar. Dehradun, 248006. India.
3 Monitoring & Evaluation Head, Latika Roy Foundation, 113/1 Vasant Vihar. Dehradun, 248006. India.
4 Associate Professor, NIMS College of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Correspondence Address: Dr. Aarti Nair, PT., Latika Roy Foundation, 113/1 Vasant Vihar. Dehradun, 248006. India. E-Mail: aarti@latikaroy.org
ABSTRACT
Background: The recent flare-up of the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a huge danger to the lives and prosperity of millions of individuals around the world. The weakest segments of society are being missed in this largescale crisis. As the world opens up from lockdowns and enters an unprecedented condition of uncertainty, or what many have called “the new normal”, it bodes well to ponder what are the lessons learnt. Understanding such risks and assessing the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic are key to shaping a response that considers the needs of all children. The Covid pandemic presents a phenomenal chance for the families of children with disabilities to act in fortitude and transform this emergency into a force to accomplish the objectives and enhance result for their children.
Methods: Children and young adults in the age group 1-21 years were part of this program. A total of 261 participants have undertaken the services provided by LRF staff during the year long period from Jan -Dec 2020.
Results: In this article, we feature the home management programs that were setup by the staff at Latika Roy Foundation (LRF) during the pandemic for families of children with disabilities. Families of children with disabilities worked hard during the lockdown and their children showed improved outcomes by the individualised home programs that were set for each child attending the online services
Conclusion: The pandemic led to shift from regular services to online mode of service and displayed clearly that necessity is the mother of invention. When accessibility to essential services was difficult, children with disabilities and their parents were the high-risk group for various physical and mental health issues and needed appropriate guidance and support. As the world navigates the pandemic the LRF staff continued to work for the most vulnerable sections of society fostering the idea of practice and participation.
Key Words: Pandemic, the new normal, families of children with disabilities, online services.
REFERENCES
[1]. The latest COVID-19 news and resources, as well as tips to protect you and your family. UNICEF
[2]. Leaving no one behind during the pandemic: Children with disabilities and COVID-19, Pg 4
[3]. Leaving no one behind during the pandemic: Children with disabilities and COVID-19 Back to Unicef.org
[4]. Craft, A. Childhood in a digital age: Creative challenges for educational futures. London Review of Education, 2021;10(2):173–190.https://doi.org/10.1080/14748460. 2012.691282.
[5]. Patel, Khushboo, ‘Mental Health Implications of COVID-19 on Children with Disabilities’, Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 2020;54.
[6]. Aishworiya, Ramkumar, and Ying Qi Kang, ‘Including Children with Developmental Disabilities in the Equation during this COVID-19 Pandemic’, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 2020.
[7]. WHO Disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/disabilityconsiderations-during-the-covid-19 outbreak. Accessed June 5, 2020
[8]. Nancy A. Murphy, Paul S. Carbone and the Council on Children With Disabilities Pediatrics October 2011;128(4):795-802. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-1467
[9]. Houtrow A, Harris D, Molinero A, Levin-Decanini T, Robichaud C. Children with disabilities in the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic. J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2020;13(3):415-424. doi: 10.3233/PRM-200769. PMID: 33185616.
[11]. Chuanmei Dong, Simin Cao, Hui Li. Children and Youth Services Review 2020;118.
