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Effects of lockdown during corona pandemic on children with neurodevelopmental disorders-A questionnaire-based survey
Jyotindra Narayan Goswami1, Vishal Sondhi2, Ashish Kumar Simalti3
1Department of Pediatrics, Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi.
Insights
The COVID-19 lockdown significantly impacted children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD) and their parents. Disrupted therapies and behavioral issues were challenges, but home-based therapy and parental resilience emerged as positive outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns presented unprecedented challenges for children globally.
- The impact of these lockdowns on children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD) remains under-researched.
- This study specifically investigates the effects on children with NDD and their caregivers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on children with NDD.
- To assess the impact on parental experiences and child therapy during the lockdown period.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed to parents of children with NDD at three Indian tertiary-care hospitals.
- The questionnaire gathered data on children's therapies, behavioral changes, and parental experiences during the lockdown.
- Data from 135 parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Learning Disability (LD) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Institutional therapy ceased for 99% of children, while home-based therapy duration significantly increased.
- Parents reported a significant increase in temper tantrums and perceived worsening of children's interactions and speech.
- While parents' quality of life declined, they reported increased confidence in managing their children's care.
Conclusions:
- Lockdowns significantly affected children with NDD and their parents, marked by therapy disruption and behavioral decline.
- Parental stress was a major challenge, contrasted by increased parental motivation and reliance on home-based therapies.
- The findings highlight the crucial role of consistent parent-administered home-based therapy for children with NDD during adverse events.
Background:
Lockdown due to Corona pandemic is an unprecedented event, which has had a profound impact on the lives of children across all ages. Its effects on children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD) has not been adequately studied. This study was performed in order to explore the effects of lockdown during the Corona pandemic on children with NDD and their parents.
Methods:
The survey was conducted in three Indian tertiary-care hospitals wherein parents of children with NDD were requested to respond to an online questionnaire. The questions attempted to elicit various aspects of the children`s therapies and behavioural profiles as well as their parents` experiences during the pandemic related lockdown.
Results:
135/188 (71.8%) parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)(n=104), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (n=26) and Learning Disability (LD)(n=5) responded. Pre-lockdown, 133 (99%) children were receiving regular institution-based therapy, which ceased intra-lockdown. Mean cumulative home-based therapy duration significantly increased during lockdown (p=0.03). Parents reported significantly increased temper tantrums in children (p=0.02). They perceived that during lockdown, their children were bored and their interactions and speech worsened. Majority of parents reported worsening of own qualities of life, but felt confident of taking care of their children during lockdown.
Conclusions:
To conclude, children with NDD and their parents were significantly affected by Corona pandemicrelated lockdown. Institutional therapy discontinuation, behavioural deterioration (especially among ASD and ADHD) and parental stress were prominent challenges whereas parental motivation and reliance on homebased therapy were the positive highlights. The survey points to the role of regular parent-administered homebased therapy in children with NDD, especially to tide over similar unexpected adverse scenarios.
