Many children with a developmental delay who needed early intervention services, have been receiving services at home via telehealth instead of receiving in-person services during the pandemic. This has allowed families to participate in services that were available and accessible.

 

During the pandemic many families have also experienced economic, social and geographical challenges. Some families, including those from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds, may have also experienced difficulties with accessing online services.

 

Access to essential services such as well-child visits, and developmental monitoring and early intervention services have been limited. Telehealth has become one of the primary service delivery models during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, little is known about the efficacy of telehealth for children who are at-risk for developmental delay or those with developmental delay who needed early intervention services. Furthermore, there is limited information about whether low-income families with young children, who have been experiencing the digital divide, including those who may have lost their jobs during the pandemic, have had consistent access to the Internet to participate in early intervention therapies.