Crisis Brings Innovative Strategies: Collaborative Empathic Teleintervention for Children with Disabilities during...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic led to disruptions in daily routines and limited access to essential services for children with disabilities.
• Social distancing measures impacted families' access to school and habilitation/rehabilitation resources.
• Health emergencies necessitate innovative strategies for continuous care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose two innovative teleintervention strategies for supporting children with disabilities and their families.
• To address the continuity of care challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To highlight the utility of novel approaches in remote support.

Main Methods:

• Application of the Routines-Based Model principles beyond early developmental years.
• Adoption of 'My Abilities First,' an educational tool promoting an abilities-oriented approach.
• Utilizing accessible language to communicate the importance of these strategies for families.

Main Results:

• The proposed strategies offer a framework for delivering remote support to families of children with disabilities.
• The Routines-Based Model and My Abilities First are presented as effective tools for teleintervention.
• Accessible communication highlights the value of these strategies in the context of COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• The Routines-Based Model and My Abilities First principles are universal and adaptable for teleintervention.
• These strategies facilitate collaborative, empathic, and family-centered remote care.
• The approaches are beneficial for children and youth with disabilities during and after COVID-19 related lockdowns.