Rehabilitation services lockdown during the COVID-19 emergency: the mental health response of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Serena GrumiLivio ProvenziAlice GardaniValentina AraminiErika DargenioCecilia NaboniValeria VacchiniRenato Borgattinull nullPublished in: Disability and rehabilitation (2020)
These findings highlight the burden faced by caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities during the COVID-19 emergency in Italy. These families should be considered as a high-risk population that requires dedicated healthcare attention, such as promoting continuity of care by investing in tele-rehabilitation programs. Implications for rehabilitation Caregivers of children with disability reported symptoms of anxiety and depression during COVID-19 emergency. Major concerns regarded COVID-19 contagion risk and child development during rehabilitation lockdown. Caregivers' psychological symptoms were associated with concerns for child development during the lockdown. Parents of children with disability may face relevant stress during and after COVID-19 psychological burden. During COVID-19 recovery, policy-makers and clinicians should dedicate specific care actions for families of children with disability.