Exploring the Influence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on the Accessibility of Rehabilitation Services Provided to Children with Disabilities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Children with disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, autistic spectrum disorder, and Down syndrome) are the most vulnerable and marginalized subset of the population, representing 2.7% of the total population of Saudi Arabia. The COVID-19 outbreak might have disproportionately affected children with disabilities, augmented their isolation, and induced severe disruptions to the services on which these children rely. Limited research has been conducted in Saudi Arabia to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rehabilitation services provided to children with disabilities and barriers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the lockdown implemented as a result of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the accessibility of rehabilitation services, including communication, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a survey was conducted between June and September 2020 during the lockdown in Saudi Arabia. A total of 316 caregivers of children with disabilities from Riyadh participated in the study. The accessibility of rehabilitation services provided to children with disabilities was assessed by designing a valid questionnaire. Results: A total of 280 children with disabilities received rehabilitation services before the COVID-19 pandemic and showed improvement following therapeutic sessions. However, during the pandemic, most children stopped receiving therapeutic sessions because of lockdown, which deteriorated their condition. This shows a significant reduction in the accessibility of the rehabilitation services provided during the pandemic. Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed a drastic decline in services provided to children with disabilities. This caused a notable deterioration in the abilities of these children.

Evaluation of Helping Hand for Relief and Development’s Services for Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities in Pakistan

“…It is important for people to be happy with the rehabilitation services they receive so that they are more likely to follow and stick to the recommended treatments (Elkholi et al, 2023). The result indicates high levels of satisfaction among parents, which means that HHRD's Children with Disabilities Program has a significant impact on its beneficiaries.…”

“…Rehabilitation is pertinent in two scenarios: firstly, when a physical or mental disability is present but can be treated to enhance or prevent further deterioration, and secondly, in cases where the individual's condition may not improve, but they can attain greater independence through customized support that capitalizes on their strengths (Raza & Begum, 2022). Throughout history, the term 'rehabilitation' has encompassed various approaches to address disability, ranging from interventions to enhance bodily function to more holistic measures aimed at fostering inclusion (Kumar, 2017), and it is an important ongoing process that helps children with disabilities improve their health and quality of life (Elkholi et al, 2023).…”