Parental concerns about the long-term impacts of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions on the health, education and development of their children with Down syndrome: A qualitative analysis

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly limited access to vital services and resources required to support the health, education and development of neurodivergent children, especially children with Down syndrome (DS). We undertook qualitative analysis of responses to open-ended questions exploring caregiver (n = 194) concerns about the impact of the pandemic restrictions on their children with DS. Results showed that parents were concerned about their child's mental and physical health during lockdowns, and reported that children found the social isolation and lack of routine particularly challenging. Restrictions also raised ongoing longer-term concerns. Parents reported that limited social contact affected the development of children's communication and social skills, and fewer group activities impacted weight and motor development. School closures affected academic progress and development of the skills required to navigate a classroom environment. Restricted access to healthcare services delayed diagnosis and treatment, and cancelled therapies disrupted speech and motor development; ongoing disruptions continued to limit opportunities to mitigate concerns. The interlinking impacts of multiple restrictions compounded the challenges, highlighting the importance of accessible social resources and system-wide support for the health and development of neurodivergent children. We urge practitioners, researchers and policymakers to collaborate with families to mitigate the long-term implications of the pandemic for children with DS.