Children with Disabilities and the Effects of COVID-19 (ISPCAN webinar)

In normal times, children with disabilities suffer maltreatment at a higher rate than other children and now, with the rise of COVID-19, many of the usual safeguards for these children are not functioning the way they should. In this webinar, three international experts from the Netherlands, the U.S., and India will discuss the current status of these at-risk children and the unique impacts the pandemic has had on them. Psychologist and remedial educator Aafke Scharloo will give an overview of the situation of children with disabilities in general and during COVID and will present lessons learned in the Netherlands before, during, and after lockdown. Psychologist and therapist Nora Baladerian will then focus on the substantial psychological effects of COVID and isolation on this population of children. Finally, pediatrician Shabina Ahmed will discuss the health safety rules of COVID, such as social distancing, and how to communicate them to children with disabilities, including tips and resources for families.  

Aafke Scharloo, a clinical psychologist and remedial educator from the Netherlands, was a pioneer in the approach to sexual abuse in people with intellectual disabilities 30 years ago. She works throughout the country as an expert for healthcare professionals, service providers, parents, and people with intellectual disabilities. In addition to her clinical work, Aafke works also as an educator, trainer, and adviser/supervisor. She lectures nationally and internationally and has published numerous articles in journals and books on the topics of people with an intellectual disabilities, sexual abuse, maltreatment, and trauma.

Nora J. Baladerian, Ph.D., LMFT, is a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist, the co-director of the Disability Without Abuse Project, and director of the Counseling Center of West Los Angeles in California. Dr. Baladerian has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities for four decades, focusing on sexual assault and trauma for most of that time. She serves as an expert witness in legal cases nationally; is the author of several guidebooks; provides training for law enforcement, forensic interviewers, examiners, parents and people with disabilities; and speaks and trains nationally and internationally.

Dr. Shabina Ahmed is a pediatrician with 25 years of experience in the field of disability and child rights and is the Convener of the Indian Child Abuse and Neglect Chapter of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics in Eastern India. She is also the Founder Director of Assam Autism Foundation, and was awarded India’s National Award on Child Welfare in 2014. 

Register on: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7047681925719691023