Dinglasan, Nikko Faye C.

Mindanao, John Paul Richard I.

Yousof, Anida M.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Through the Eyes of Parents with a Mentally Challenged

Child

Statement of the Problem

1. How does the pandemic affect the mentally challenged child, in terms of:
A. Mental
B. Emotional
C. Social
2. What are the challenges being faced by the parents brought about by the
pandemic and changes happened to their child?
3. What are the parenting strategies to combat the challenges brought about
by the changes happening to their child due to pandemic?
4. What health teaching program can be formulated to help the parents with
mentally challenged child during this pandemic?

Interview Questions:
1. How does the pandemic affect the mentally challenged child, in terms of:
Mental:
 How does the pandemic affect the progress of your child’s mental
behavior?
 How would you compare the impact of this pandemic to your
mentally challenge child in terms of their intellectual development?
 How would you describe the comprehension of your child now that
he/she is no longer attending therapy centers?
Emotional:
 How is he/she behaving during the pandemic?
 Is your child having tantrums? If yes, did it worsen?
 Does your child become inactive after the closure of therapy centers?
 Does your child feel sadness after the closure of therapy centers?

Social:
 In this pandemic times, how would you promote your social
relationship with your mentally challenged child?
 During the pandemic, how did your child maintain the bond with you
and the other family members?
 How does your child get along with you and other members of the
family at home?
 Aside from the member of the family, is there any person whom your
child can socialize with?
 In your own observation, does this pandemic improved or hinder
social relationships of your mentally challenged child particularly on
how they interact with other members of the family?
 During this pandemic, do you let your child be with other people?
 Does your child feel socially isolated? If so, how does your child cope
up with that?
2. What are the challenges being faced by the parents brought about by the
pandemic and changes happened to their child?
 What are the common problems you encounter in managing your
child during this pandemic?
 Does your child's behavior affect your daily living?
 What is the worst scenario so far that you have experienced in
handling your mentally challenged child during this pandemic?
 If most of the workplaces are closed, how do you provide for your
family?
 Do you feel frustrated while educating your child during the closure
of therapy centers?

3. What are the parenting strategies to combat the challenges faced by the
respondents?
3.1 What particular strategies do you practice in managing your mentally
challenged child?
 If your child is throwing a tantrum, how do you make him/her
calm?
 Are there any methods/techniques that you use to your child to
keep him/her calm? Which techniques are effective? Ineffective?
 How do you discipline your child when he/ she is throwing
tantrums?
 Does your child listen to what you are saying immediately?
 How do you manage to cope in this challenging times in caring
with your mentally challenged child?
 3.2 In terms of academic aspects, what form of educational tool do you
utilize online learning or you personally home-school your child?
 How prepared are you for the lessons that you have to teach
your child?
 After the changes in the education system, how do you educate
your mentally challenged child?
 What are the resources that you use to educate your child? Are
there any educational resources (books, journals, newspapers,
articles) available in your home that can help maintain your
child’s mental condition?
 Aside from you, is there any resource person who helps you in
teaching your child?
 Does your child’s therapy center send you modules or learning
resources?
 Does your child attend therapies when there’s still no pandemic?
How about now?

4. What health teaching program or plan of action that can be formulated to

help the parents with mentally challenged child during this pandemic?
 What recommendations can you give and proper referral system that
can be utilized for parents in caring for their mentally challenged
child specially in the new normal?