Therapy service delivery for children with disabilities during COVID-19: Parent perceptions and implementation recommendations

Linzy M. Pinkerton*, Ashley Murphy, Ellie Bruckner, Heather Risser

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study identifies challenges and advantages parents faced in navigating therapy service delivery for their child with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of an online survey, 171 parents of children with disabilities answered four, free response questions regarding the therapy services their children received during the pandemic. A grounded theory approach was used to identify top challenges, barriers, advantages, and recommendations. Challenges included children's poor response to telehealth services, lack of parent training, and technological challenges. Advantages included fewer barriers to service access and increased family involvement. Parents largely recommended shorter, more frequent teletherapy sessions, and resuming in-person services. To improve parent engagement in, and the sustainability of, services, parent feedback should inform service delivery design and implementation. Incorporating parent feedback about service delivery can decrease disparities in access and increase parent engagement in child services both generally, and during periods of service disruption.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2430-2441
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Community Psychology
Volume51
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • developmental disabilities
  • health services accessibility
  • health services for persons with disabilities
  • healthcare disparities
  • implementation science
  • telemedicine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology

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