Kiddipedia
COVID-19 has disrupted and impacted almost every aspect of our lives and those of our children.
During this time it is important for us to be mindful of the effects COVID-19 has for families of children with disabilities. Every day problems are further amplified with children with special needs.
Today we are joined by our special guest Ariella Lew to discuss the effects on these families.
Ariella Lew is a Paediatric Nurse and Director of Kids on Track Consultancy. Ariella consults locally and internationally, providing expert advice and management strategies for families of children with special needs.
Ariella shares tips on how we can best prepare children who need support and consistency the most to cope throughout this COVID1-9 era.
We ask Ariella questions including:
- What are the challenges children with special needs have been experiencing through this COVID?
- What are some of the most common challenges you find parents have been experiencing?
- What are the major about concerns about parents access to specialised care?
- How do you see isolation affecting the learning and development of children with special needs?
- You suggest that in situations like this that parents of children with additional and special needs should find a social story that explains coronavirus and why we are having to be so careful all the time. Can you explain firstly what a social story is?
- Where can parents find them? Do you have any suggestions or recommendations of which ones we should look out for?
- How and why are they so effective?
- You’ve mentioned that home school has been a tremendous challenge for children with special needs, could you explain how and why this is so?
- How do you see COVID impact learning (particularly online learning) for individuals with special needs?
- Why is uncertainty more challenging to deal with for children with special needs?
- What are the best strategies to help to children combat uncertainty?
- What are some of the processes parents can provide consistency to their children?
- Do you think that parents can use this time to teach their children that change is inevitable? If so, how can they do this?
- Do you have any particular tips and advice to help parents manage and support their child if they are suffering from anxiety?
- How can friends and family of children with special needs best support them during this time?
For Ariella’s full article please go to:
https://kiddipedia.com.au/helping-our-special-needs-children-through-covid-19/
Find out more at Facebook: @kidsontrackconsultancy or contact Ariella directly on info@kidsontrackconsultancy.com
