Managing children with developmental disabilities during Covid-19

Ravi Prakash Singh

Dimapur, March 29 (EMN): With the increasing number of coronavirus cases across the country, a majority of the state governments have closed down their schools to prevent the spread of Covid-19. As a result, school going children are now restricted within their homes. On one side, it is necessary to do so, keeping in view the severity of the problem. On the other hand, keeping children with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as- intellectual disability, Autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disability and hyperactivity disorder confined inside the house becomes very challenging for parents. Restrictions to stay within the house are causing an increase in behavioural problems among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as:

• Violent and destructive behaviours
• Temper tantrums
• Self-injurious behaviours such as hitting self, biting self, etc.
• Sleep disturbances
• Excess use of mobile phones or watching television
• Excess demand to go out of the house.

What to do?

• Contact with the teachers and therapist of the child through telephone or mobile and ask them to give information about home based program for the child.
• Delegate the responsibilities of childcare among all family members. If possible, both parents may avoid going out of the house and divide the task related with the child. In addition, work may be distributed among other family members such as grand parents, siblings, etc.
• Engage the child in household activities according to his/her abilities such as- sorting of vegetables, folding of clothes and keeping it in the almirah, cleaning utensils, sweeping, mopping, peeling and cutting vegetables, preparing lemonade or tea, etc.
• Sanitise or clean any material, which you are giving to the child.
• Teach the child to clean his/her hands frequently with soap.
• Do simple yoga with the child.
• Do some physical exercise or dance movements with the child.
• Play some indoor games with the child such as- Ludo, Carom, etc.
• Many concepts of functional academics may be taught through household tasks such as- spoons, bowls etc. may be used for counting. Measurement may be taught through measuring sugar with spoon while preparing tea, etc.
• Prepare new schedule for the child and make him/her aware by written or pictorial presentation.
• Promote the hobbies of the child such as watering plants, colouring pictures, painting, craft work, etc.