Carers Knowledge Exchange
Search
Close
Important information
Log In Subscribe for updates
  • Home
  • About
  • Research Library
  • Get Involved
  • Support for carers
  • My Research
  • Carer Hub
  • Home
  • About
  • Research Library
  • Get Involved
  • Support for carers
  • My Research
  • Carer Hub
Log In Subscribe for updates

<< Back to Results

  • Search

Parent's Perceptions of the Family Impacts of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Themselves and Siblings of Children With Developmental Disabilities:

‘No Time to Breathe’

Published Date: 9.10.2025

View Publication

Theme: Specific groups of carers

Sub-theme: Caring for someone with disability

COVID-19 Emotional support Carer wellbeing Disability services Qualitative data

Verification Statement

This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.

The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user
, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.

All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.


To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.

 

Theme: Specific groups of carers

Sub-theme: Caring for someone with disability

View Publication COVID-19 Emotional support Carer wellbeing Disability services Qualitative data

Verification Statement

This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.

The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user
, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.

All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.


To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.

 

Parent's Perceptions of the Family Impacts of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Themselves and Siblings of Children With Developmental Disabilities:

‘No Time to Breathe’

Published Date: 9.10.2025

  • Author/ Authors

    Helen Bourke-Taylor, Monica Leo, Loredana Tirlea, Ayla Baydan, Ted Brown, Luke Robinson, Tim Moore

  • Suggested citation (APA 7th edition)

    Bourke‐Taylor, H., Leo, M., Tirlea, L., Bayden, A., Brown, T., Robinson, L., & Moore, T. (2025). Parent’s perceptions of the family impacts of COVID‐19 lockdowns on themselves and siblings of children with developmental disabilities: ‘No time to breathe.’ Child & Family Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.70064

Long Summary

The paper explores how COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia affected families raising children with developmental disabilities, particularly focusing on the experiences of parents and siblings. It reveals that parents faced intense emotional strain and felt overwhelmed by the demands of caregiving, while siblings often took on additional responsibilities and experienced disruptions to their education and wellbeing. The lockdowns significantly altered family dynamics and routines, highlighting the need for tailored support systems that consider the unique challenges faced by these families during times of crisis.

    Key Messages for Carers


  • Lockdowns intensified caring demands, and seeking support is essential for carers wellbeing.
  • Siblings of children with disabilities often take on extra responsibilities. It's important to check in with them regularly and ensure they have space to express their feelings and needs.

  • Key Messages for Policy Makers


  • Siblings of children with disabilities often take on more than expected, they need recognition, emotional support, and opportunities to thrive. They need targeted support programs to safeguard their mental health and educational outcomes.
  • Flexible, resilient service models are essential to maintain continuity of care during crises.

Related Publications

  • Carers information technology project

    Ben Harris-Roxas , Jessica Harper

    View
  • (How) Will it end?

    Lukas Hofstaetter , Emma Kirby , Giselle Newton , Iva Strnadova , Christy E. Newman

    View
  • Interventions to support carers of people with dementia

    Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision

    View
  • ‘You say treatment, I say hard work’

    Adem Sav , Elizabeth Kendall , Sara S. McMilan , Fiona Kelly , Jennifer A. Whitty , Michelle A. King , Amanda J. Wheeler

    View

By the same Author

  • Being more than a mother

    So Sin Sim , Helen Bourke-Taylor , Ellie Fossey , Mong-lin Yu

    View

There are 1 other results by the same Authors

View All
  • How to use the Research Library

    Find out more about how to find a resource on the Carer Knowledge Exchange Research Library here.

    FAQs
  • Add your research

    Is something important missing from the Research Library? Share your research or suggest research by another author using our submission form. For more information about how to create an account click here and for more information about how to upload a publication to the research library click here.

    My Research

  • About
  • Subscribe for updates
  • Support for carers

  • Research Library
  • My Research
  • Submission guidelines

  • Contact us
  • Upcoming events
  • Frequently asked questions

Follow us on social media

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & conditions
The Carer Knowledge Exchange is led by Carers NSW and proudly funded by the NSW Government. It was established as a partnership between Carers NSW and the Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) at the University of Technology Sydney from 2021-2024. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.