Since the pandemic stated there is no section of society that has not been affected. Everyone has been suffering losses directly or indirectly. But one set of population that has largely been ignored is children or young adults with special needs.
According to one informal online survey done in July 2020 almost all the parents who responded said that their children with special needs have been home since late March 2020 and haven't stepped out at all. Even the residential facilities were closed and parents were asked to take their children home for the foreseeable future. Which was correct as this population has compromised and low immunity in many cases.
Since then slowly some residential facilities are opening with proper measures like quarantine and regular sanitization of premises etc. But the challenge remains to inform and enforce proper social distancing, mask wearing and hygiene protocols to the wards in their charge.
Since April 2020 as with other schools, special schools and centres have been functioning online. And in most cases it has proven to be very effective. Parents and professionals have adjusted and used immense resourcefulness to keep the children constructively occupied during lockdown and later during new normal.
But the fact remains that many children have suffered during this time. Many special needs children do not have access to smart devices or parents are not educated enough to make use of online classes. The great learning has been the recognition of parental training in managing and nurturing their own children and their special needs.However many professionals and therapy centers may get involved to improve the outcomes for the special needs children, finally the parents awareness, education, attitude and involvement play the biggest role.
