The Effect of COVID-19 on the Disabled Children and Their Families: A Case from Turkey

Background: Children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups in unforeseen and unexpected circumstances, such as pandemics that can cause a change in the vital order. Aim: The research was conducted to reveal the conditions of children with disabilities and their families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for descriptive characteristics and to identify situations making a difference. Methodology: The research is in quantitative method. The data were collected in an internet-based digital environment. Disabled children of the participants have mental, hearing, vision, physical disabilities, pervasive developmental disorder, and special learning disabilities. Results: In the study, it was recognized that children with disabilities had other illnesses apart from their disabilities, their rehabilitation was incomplete, families were left alone with the process and they were away from professional follow-up. It was discovered that the problems of both the family and the child increased, and they did not have the desired behavior pattern in solving the issues. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative consequences for both the disabled children and their families.