Khushboo’s initiatives during lockdown

Amid the Global pandemic of COVID 19 crisis children with disabilities have been largely affected. It has become a great challenge for the parents as they are not only managing to cope with the work balance but also taking care of their special children.

In the wake of COVID-19, Khushboo has made all efforts to protect the special children as well as staff from the negative impact of the Corona virus. We have strictly followed government guidelines for maintaining social distancing, and adopted measures to prevent the virus spread in the premise. With the announcement of nationwide lockdown on March 23, we immediately closed our operations for the children while the staff was advised to work from home.

Khushboo’s emphasis has been two-pronged approach: Firstly, to keep the children safe at home and prevent spreading of Corona and Secondly, to resolve the evolving issues of parents of children with mental and multiple disabilities. Since the children with disabilities have been restricted within their homes, they are showing behavioral changes.

These are the testing times for the entire country and especially for children with special needs. Khushboo has been focusing on their age-appropriate functions viz eating, drinking, sleeping, talking or playing. Children with special needs are more likely to be disorganized because of sudden halt of their routines. Such change in routine may lead to deprived stimulus, which might hamper their development and further cause anxiety and distress not only among children but also parents. Self-management is always a concern for children with special needs related to following:

• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Down Syndrome
• Mental Retardation
• Slow Learning

As the testing times continue, there are pertinent questions: What parents of children with multiple disabilities can do at home during this phase of COVID -19? How parents can reduce problem behaviors in kids or young boys and girls with disabilities?

Keeping in mind these concerns, Khushboo’s teachers and therapists have planned home-based daily schedule for each child as per his/her needs in an innovative and interesting way. The idea is to keep them happy and productive. Activities include children’s hygiene, education, storytelling, providing sensory stimuli besides counselling sessions for parents.

Impact

Khushboo’s initiatives during the lockdown have helped parents to set up a regular routine similar to our Day Care Centre.

• The children have been engaged in purposeful and creative activities suggested by teachers and therapists.
• Maintained the performance/activity level of the children.
• Empowered and enabled parents to handle behavioural issues of their child.