Caring for the Most Vulnerable: A Model for Managing Maladaptive Behavior in Children with Mental Special Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: This article presents the results of a comprehensive national model developed for managing maladaptive behaviors (MBs) in children with mental special needs (CMSNs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that combines telehealth-based Applied Behavioral Analyses, psychiatric interventions, and support from local psychosocial teams. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of a system that combined telehealth applications with local psychosocial support teams, allowing services from video calls to emergency interventions. Materials and Methods: The system combines the telehealth applications with the services from local psychosocial intervention teams. In addition to system records covering socio-demographic variables and initial complaints, a telephone survey questioning the effectiveness and satisfaction of the system was used as the main outcome. Results: In total, 347 individuals used the system with mothers constituting the majority of applicants (88.7%, n = 332). The overall satisfaction of the system was 8.8/10. In terms of effectiveness, 63.3% (n = 237) of caregivers reported an improvement in the reason of application. Counselors decided on a need for follow-up visits for 36.6% (n = 137) of applications. A referral to a psychiatrist was asked for 40 patients (10.6%). Discussion: To our best knowledge, this is the first study presenting a model for managing MBs of CMSNs during the COVID-19 outbreak. In general, therefore, it seems that there is a need for unique systems to handle behavioral problems of CMSNs. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that it is possible to establish an integrative multistep multidisciplinary telehealth-based approach in a short while.

Impacts of health care service changes implemented due to COVID‐19 on children and young people with long‐term disability: A mapping review

“…The remaining papers were focused on behaviour programmes (e.g. behaviour counselling, applied behavioural analysis therapy; n = 9), [54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62] speech and language therapy (n = 4), [63][64][65][66] physiotherapy (n = 3), 53,67,68 mental health support (n = 2), 69,70 auditory-verbal therapy for children and young people with a hearing impairment (n = 1), 71 rehabilitative therapy for children and young people with vision impairment (n = 1), 72 and early intervention coaching (n = 1). 73 The percentages of families reporting attending a telehealth appointment with an AHP tended to be lower (less than 50% of study samples) than those reported for medical care appointments (over 50% of study samples).…”

COVİD-19 Pandemisi Erken Döneminde Psikolojik Etkiler ve Başa Çıkma Becerileri: Türk Çocuk ve Ergen Yaş Grubunda Çevrimiçi Bir Ölçek Çalışması

“…the answers to this question (yes / no) were examined, 204 children said 'yes', and 299 adolescents said 'yes', and there was no difference between the groups in terms of activities (p=0.260). The answers to the open-ended question asked to those who answered 'yes' are shown separately in the child and adolescent group in graph form (Figure 1 (24). In addition, these results will help clinicians to predict the longterm consequences of symptoms seen in the early stages of pandemic.…”

Impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children and clinical practice in Turkey: a narrative review with recommendations

“…In cases of children with special needs, intervention was considered necessary in anticipation of problems resulting from home isolation and the disruption of daily routines, as well as additional behavioral problems expected with the increased emotional and physical burdens on families. A new approach for individuals with special needs, including an application that can be used on mobile devices, has been developed ( 7 ). With the application “Special Children Support System”, children with special needs whose behavioral problems worsened during the pandemic and their families have been provided with a support system based on applied behavioral analysis staffed by volunteer mental health workers and educators.…”