ARU Final Report

22 Young people with disabilities’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic health of their child with disabilities, compared to 23 per cent of parents of non-disabled children. The Disabled Children’s Partnership (2020) in the UK further found that parents and carers also reported that the pandemic has had a negative effect on their child or young person’s behaviour and emotions (87 per cent), learning and communication (86 per cent), friendships (83 per cent), mental health (78 per cent), general health (67 per cent), and their disability or condition (64 per cent). However, 76 per cent of families who had previously been receiving support from social services before lockdown (such as respite care and summer play schemes) saw it all stop during the crisis. Young people who accessed support with their emotionalwellbeingwere asked how they accessed it during the pandemic and whether they found it helpful. In the main, the young people sought support from those closest to them such as family members or staff working at their accommodation: I still talk to my staff when they are in and my psychologist, I see on a video session. I have a good bond with my brother, and we are close, and I worried about him going back to university. I feel more positive now. Spoke with my Mum – living with her in the family home and with a different counsellor which has been face to face prior to Tier 4 and then lockdown. Talk with Mummy and teachers at school, sometimes my social worker on video calls. I have felt sad anxious and upset almost every day. I speak to my mum about it and it is helpful. One young person described seeking support and receiving validation through social media: I’ve started a YouTube channel called XXX. I talk about my feelings, updates about my seizures, routines what I do at lunch time or evenings. I couldn’t believe it that I have 22 subscribers, that put me in a really good mood today. However, for some they felt alone and isolated during the pandemic: There were times where I lacked support and felt alone during the pandemic due to lack of involvement with services, and lack of contact. Yes, felt isolated unable to really talk to friends and they don’t get my Autism. My doctor wants me to see a psychiatrist, but I have refused as I get sick of talking. I also get very angry about rule breakers as I’m very sensitive to this. Research from The Disabled Children’s Partnership (2020) further found that parents and carers of disabled children and young people were fearful of getting the virus and worrying who would care for the child or young person. This was echoed in our study from the perspective of young people who reported anxiety and concern about the virus itself: Hmmm yes, but the virus is still out there so I obviously need to be careful.