Mental health of children with neurodevelopmental disorders during COVID-19: A brief report of family experiences from a low and middle income country

Abstract

COVID-19 has grossly impacted lives of people across the globe. In particular, children have also been affected due to closure of schools, therapy, and day care centers. Families have been challenged with new circumstances, and mental health professionals are coming up with novel ways to help these families who have children with mental health issues. This article describes experiences of families who have children with a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder with comorbid mental health difficulties and their ways of coping with the pandemic challenges. The series will throw light on ground level experiences of families during the pandemic, give insights into their ways of adapting, and brings out problem areas which healthcare professionals must work on, to design novel ways of care. The case series is novel and a similar report has probably not been presented from India or other low and middle income countries.

Impact of Child and Family Factors on Caregivers’ Mental Health and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece

“…These disruptions could have longterm effects on children's development and learning. Although many childcare facilities and clinics provide the option of online and distance telehealth services, families with limited income and education may encounter difficulties in accessing digital mental health treatments such as tele-rehabilitation, online therapy, and phone or distance consultation sessions [23]. Further, the increasing demand for pediatric hospitals to address COVID-19 cases has resulted in families with children who are at risk for complex developmental conditions losing or having to wait for months for their child's assessment, screening, and availability of medical and supportive care services [24].…”