Professionals’ Perspectives on Service Delivery: The Impact of COVID-19 on Early Childhood Special Education Providers

Abstract

Early childhood special education (ECSE) professionals were forced to drastically change their methods of providing services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this qualitative study, we conducted interviews to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted ECSE professionals both personally and professionally. ECSE professionals described challenges as well as unexpected positive outcomes associated with continuing to work in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Professionals also explained the importance of increasing parent interaction through coaching interventions while engaging in remote service delivery. The findings conclude with professionals’ discussions of how the field may be impacted by the pandemic in the future. Results were discussed in the context of service provision and implications for supporting professionals who work with young children with disabilities.

Keywords

early childhood special education qualitative COVID-19 pandemic remote service delivery

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