Previously submitted to: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting (no longer under consideration since Aug 05, 2025)
Date Submitted: Jan 27, 2025
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
A Pilot Study: Rehabilitation Based Coaching Using WhatsApp as a Tool for Families of Children with Disabilities in India
ABSTRACT
Background:
The lack of formal peer support for parents has been cited as a gap in child rehabilitation programs that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objective:
Amar Seva Sangam, an NGO in rural India that runs a community based Early Intervention program explored the feasibility of using rehabilitation coaching via WhatsApp to promote interaction between parents and share knowledge.
Methods:
Parents with access to a smart phone were invited to join a 6-week pilot study between April–May 2020. A mixed-method inquiry was used. Quantitative data was collected including number of participants, retention, participants’ relation to child, postings read and discussions generated. Qualitative data on parents' experience with the groups were obtained via phone interviews of 33 parents.
Results:
A total of 33 interviews were conducted. Mothers had the highest engagement levels in reading, replying to posts and generating discussion. Interviews revealed overall positive impact of social media groups, improved peer connections, information sharing between parents and motivation to increase child participation and inclusion. Interviews led to refinements of this peer group intervention into the program.
Conclusions:
Parents WhatsApp groups are a feasible method to connect parents of children with disabilities to promote peer support, information sharing and learning.
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