ERIC Number: EJ1405736
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: EISSN-1746-1561
Available Date: N/A
COVID-19 Related Facilitators and Barriers to In-Person Learning for Children with Intellectual and Development Disabilities: A Follow-Up
Liz E. Vestal; Ann M. Schmidt; Nikole L. Dougherty; Liz Rolf; Jason G. Newland; Nancy B. Mueller
Journal of School Health, v94 n2 p105-116 2024
Background: Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the staff who support them were largely in-person during the 2021-2022 school year, despite their continued vulnerability to infection with SARS-CoV-2. This qualitative study aimed to understand continued perceptions of weekly SARS-CoV-2 screening testing of students and staff amidst increased availability of vaccinations. Methods: Twenty-three focus groups were held with school staff and parents of children with IDD to examine the perceptions of COVID-19 during the 2021-2022 school year. Responses were analyzed using a directed thematic content analysis approach. Results: Four principal themes were identified: strengths and opportunities of school- and district-level mitigation policies; experience at school with the return to in-person learning; facilitators and barriers to participation in SARS-CoV-2 screening testing; and perceptions of SARS-CoV-2 testing in light of vaccine availability. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Despite the increased availability of vaccines, school staff and families agreed that saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 screening testing helped increase comfort with in-person learning as long as the virus was present in the community. Conclusion: To keep children with IDD in school during the pandemic, families found SARS-CoV-2 screening testing important. Clearly communicating school policies and mitigation strategies facilitated peace of mind and confidence in the school district. [This article was written for the COMPASS-T Study Group.]
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, COVID-19, Pandemics, Screening Tests, School Personnel, Attitudes, Parent Attitudes, Program Effectiveness, In Person Learning, Barriers, Immunization Programs, Health Promotion
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: P50HD10352501S1
Data File: URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov
Author Affiliations: N/A