The impact of COVID-19 on people with intellectual disabilities
Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities
ISSN: 0964-1866
Article publication date: 20 July 2022
Issue publication date: 5 August 2022
Abstract
Purpose
As Clinical Psychologists working in a tertiary Intellectual Disability (ID) service in the UK, this paper aims to address the impact of Covid-19 – and the subsequent transition out of Covid-19 restrictions – on individuals with an ID, and the clinicians working alongside them. Additionally, the paper reflects upon how Covid-19 has shaped and manipulated therapeutic communities and environments.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is reflective in nature and reviews current evidence associated with how people with an ID experienced the impact of Covid-19. Clinicians reflect upon their shared experience in line with this evidence.
Findings
This paper highlights perpetuating inequalities and injustices on people with an ID as a result of Covid-19. Further, it is indicated that that there should be consideration of how people with an intellectual disability experience transitions back to their day-to-day environments and encourages clinicians to widely consider how to shape therapeutic communities and environments.
Originality/value
Multiple themes have been addressed in this paper, and the reflections add to an understanding of how those individuals specifically working in, or using intellectual disability services, have experienced the Covid-19 pandemic, though a critical lens.
Keywords
Citation
Warner, K. and Marrington, C. (2022), "The impact of COVID-19 on people with intellectual disabilities", Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, Vol. 43 No. 2, pp. 126-133. https://doi.org/10.1108/TC-11-2021-0023
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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