ABSTRACT
302 Table 1Comments made by parentsParental Experience of virtual clinics 1. Doctor listens and gives good advice The centre is really helping and give a great follow up to parents of children with disabilities Be reassured that everything will be ok 2. Everyone has been extremely helpful during this situation. I cannot fault a single thing. 3. We discussed different elements of my daughters needs and agreed on a plan going forward, I felt included and that I mattered in the decision making process 4. Overall the Nursing Team and the Paediatrician have been very supportive over the lockdown. 5. I thought it was a great idea. I had to cancel at short notice - waiting for another time but we have no issues so I’m not chasing. ConclusionsOverall, parents felt very much reassured that we are running a service during lockdown. However one parent felt that her child was too complex to be seen in virtual clinic. Our observations support the idea of multidisciplinary virtual clinics for special needs children but we agree that it cannot replace face to face consultations.
ABSTRACT
Special schools play a significant role in the daily lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. We explored the impact of the COVID-19-related first lockdown and resulting school closure by surveying parents whose children attended three special schools in Bedford, UK. We asked about anxiety and impact on emotional well-being and education. We received 53 responses from parents: 31 felt their child was more anxious during the lockdown period/school closure compared with beforehand and 42 felt their child's emotional well-being had been affected. Children and young people attending special schools may have struggled both academically and emotionally during the COVID-19 pandemic.