Anguish and Languish Experienced by Parents of Children with Special Needs through the Pandemic: Perspectives and Recommendations

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted life globally. The lockdown-imposed restrictions have negatively impacted a host of sectors, specifically with respect to India, but more so among marginalized communities of children with special needs (CSN) and their primary caregivers whose struggles have been left unnoticed. This article attempts to elucidate the numerous challenges that primary caregivers of this overlooked section of society have endured and its repercussions on their mental and emotional well-being. We further propound the experiences from the pandemic necessitates novel guidelines and make recommendations to support CSN and their caregivers in the advent of another massive crisis.

Keywords

• children with special needs
• covid-19
• learning
• lockdown-related challenges
• primary caregivers
• support services
• therapy