Negative and Positive Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canadians With Developmental Disabilities: A One-Year Ontario-Based Survey
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Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Caroline Kassee1,2, Patrick Jachyra1,3, Vijitha Mahalingam4
1Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Purpose:
Understanding the experiences of people with developmental disabilities during the initial period of COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
Individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers completed baseline and up to five follow-up online surveys using the CRISIS-AFAR measures, between July 2020 and September 2021. We used qualitative (thematic analysis) and quantitative (MANOVA) analytic methods.
Results:
One hundred and eighteen participants (64 caregivers on individuals 6-62 years, 54 self-reporting individuals aged 17-55 years) completed baseline survey; 46 participants (23 caregivers, 23 self-reporting adults) completed ≥1 follow-up. Qualitative themes included uncertainty, and negative and positive influences on behaviours and routines, daily life and mental wellness. Those experiencing positive impacts did not stably perceive so longitudinally.
Conclusions:
Despite both negative and positive influences on individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, the prolonged pandemic had wide-ranging repercussions. Emergency preparedness planning should consider the disruptive effects of public health measures on routine and support for this vulnerable population.
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