In order to gain insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with disabilities, their families and service providers/professionals across Europe, the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD) performed an online survey among 1663 professionals working in the area of childhood-onset disability, and an online survey among 1790 families with one or more individual(s) with a childhood-onset disability in April–May 2020.

The survey aimed to better understand how to support individuals with a childhood disability, not only during future pandemics or serious global events, but also during their everyday lives, by being better prepared to provide the best possible care and support as society recovers.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and ‘flatten the curve’ to avoid overwhelming healthcare services, many restrictions and measures have been implemented by most European countries. They include among recommendations on the practice of other isolation and the practice of social distancing. However, unintentionally these measures and restrictions reduced the availability and access to health care services and treatments provided to people with a childhood disability.

  • 70% of the families reported a reduction in the amount of treatment/therapy received 
  • 49% reported that the individual with a childhood-onset disability did not receive any treatment/therapy at all
  • 69% of the families reported the burden being placed upon them to be very high. 40% scored it as extremely high
  • 51% of the families reported to have experienced a financial impact 
  • 62% of the families reported increased levels of stress and anxiety 
  • 77% of the professionals reported to have noticed a mental health impact on individuals with a childhood-onset disability/disorder

For more information about the EACD Covid-19 Surveys click here.

View the Initial Report

British Academy of Childhood Disability is registered in England and Wales under charity number 1177868
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