The Effects of COVID-19 on the Mental Health Condition of Children With Cognitive Disabilities and Their Families in Hungarian Case Study

Abstract

The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has been declared a public health emergency which has caused unexpected and enormous changes all over the world. Everywhere, as well as in Hungary, it has led to disease control measures being put in place, including strict lockdown restrictions, which have affected people's daily activities and routines (DPMK, 2020). The partial or regular closure of educational institutions have been administered, resulting in a shift to online education. It has been extremely difficult for the population to handle this new situation and the emerging challenges, not to mention certain social minority groups such as people with cognitive disabilities, for whom and for whose families the current situation has implicated an even bigger burden. The aim of this chapter is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown on children with cognitive disabilities through the point of view of their parents and of the special needs educators/teachers in Hungary. The lockdown measures have affected the perspective of parents and special needs educators/teachers of children with cognitive disabilities with regards to the access and the quality of education for disabled people.

Citation

Kaló, T.G., Prievara, D.K., Mátó, V. and Tarkó, K. (2023), "The Effects of COVID-19 on the Mental Health Condition of Children With Cognitive Disabilities and Their Families in Hungarian Case Study", Genova, A., Scavarda, A. and Świątkiewicz-Mośny, M. (Ed.) Disability Welfare Policy in Europe, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 57-76. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80382-819-020231005