Cross Cultural Approach: Lived Experiences of Children with Special Needs during Pandemic in their Family’s Perspectives
The COVID-19 inexorably created too much havoc in our society and the educational system was not speared from the problem created by pandemic. Consequently, the child with special needs face more challenges in learning as compared to most children their age. This study looked into the cross-cultural comparison of the lived experiences of children with special needs in Philippines and India during the pandemic through the perspectives of their family members. The participants of the study were consisted of eight (8) family members of children with special needs, four (4) Filipino participants and an equal number of four (4) Indian participants. This study used a phenomenological, qualitative research to identify and understand the concepts of the research relying to its purpose. The data were gathered through a semi-structured interview and the interpretation of data collected were presented through a pure descriptive analysis. From the collection of data, the following themes were generated: (a) Parents: The New Teachers and Therapists, (b) Anti-COVID Rituals, Beliefs and Practices, (c) The Efforts and Struggles during Virtual and Modular Classes, (d) Consequences in Financial Resources and Accessibility, (e) Negative Behavioural Implications brought by the Pandemic, (f) Family Quality Time Appreciation, (g) Source of Strength during Trying Times, and (h) “3 R’s: Relaxation, Recreation and Rejuvenation as Coping Mechanismsâ€. These themes are the features of participants' accounts characterising particular perceptions and their lived experiences during this pandemic.