Problems of children who need special education and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic process

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic process has been significant in all areas of our country, just like other countries of world. The changes in lifestyle that occurred with the pandemic process affected both children with special needs and their families. The aim of this research is to examine the effects of the pandemic on children with special needs and their families. The phenomenology model, one of the qualitative methods, was used as the research method in the study. The data obtained through the semi-structured interview form consisting of five questions developed by the researcher was analysed. The participants of the study comprised 29 parents, and data were obtained through telephone and online interview with 21 women and 8 men. As a result of the data, five main themes and related sub-themes were formed. Within the scope of the findings obtained in this study, the parents who constitute the participants of the study have observed an increase in the anxiety levels and aggressive behaviours of their children with special needs during the pandemic process, coupled with other findings as well.

Keywords: COVID-19, pandemic process, children with special needs, families