Franzina Coutinho, Vrajesh Udani, Neelu Desai, gauri. saxena, Rashmi Dixit

Objectives: COVID-19 has played havoc with rehabilitation services across the country over the past 2 years. The current study describes parent experiences of providing rehabilitation services at home via health coaching during the pandemic and their views on the impact it has had on their children and them. Methods: Five parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (Mean age 3.6 years) were interviewed using purposive sampling to identify the role home coaching (Occupational and speech therapy ) appeared to have on intervention provision for their children during COVID-19. The data was transcribed verbatim and coded using Dedoose. Results: Parents reported being more engaged with their child through the first wave of the pandemic and working on providing hands on therapy with the aide of the therapist through online therapy sessions. Parents reported that simple activities that were familiar helped them execute effective home programmes. Parents reported feeling fatigue and worrying about the impact lack of therapy services would have on their young children through the second and third wave. A common theme that evolved was the parent report of home coaching as being 'eye opening' and the parent being able to actively participate in their children’s therapy session, see them achieve goals and seeing their children be more receptive and engage better with them. Conclusion: Home coaching appears to have positively impacted these families that tried it through the pandemic and could serve as future possibilities in areas areas that would have no access to rehabilitation services.
Keywords: Neurorehabilitation COVID digital technology health coaching

Franzina Coutinho
P.D.Hinduja Hospital and Research Center
India

Vrajesh Udani
P.D.Hinduja Hospital and Research Center
India

Neelu Desai
P.D.Hinduja Hospital and Research Center
India

gauri. saxena
Inspirium Holistic Care

Rashmi Dixit
P.D.Hinduja Hospital and Research Cen