During the COVID-19 pandemic, Guild residents were separated from families, caregivers, and the community for 77 days. During this confusing and scary time, virtual connections became not just common place but vitally important for connection. Many of the individuals living in Guild residences experience congenital or acquired communication disorders associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism, and multiple disabilities.
A Zoom call between a non-speaking individual and a parent is not the best fit; however, it does lend itself to finding unconventional ways to teach and support connection. Many parents, as well as Guild students, are not familiar with or do not have access to virtual technology support. Sometimes, once everyone is on a Zoom call, the communication can be one-sided, with the parent or caregiver being the only contributor.
The Guild’s Counseling Department uses play and expressive arts to expand the expression beyond words to visual, tactile, and kinesthetic expression. In 2023, we partnered with Lesley University’s Expressive Arts department to create a four-week intervention connecting individuals with their parents over Zoom. Using a combination of drama, storytelling, and play, along with clinical support, a Zoom call transformed into a creative, optimistic, and playful experience, increasing the connection between parent and child.
How it Worked
Lesley PhD students and Guild mental health counselors met to create the four-week sessions. Guild counselors also supervised the Lesley students and introduced them to the families they were working with. Lesley students scheduled and facilitated a three-way call between a parent and their child while at school, and the student was supported by Guild staff. In the first session, parents and children learned to navigate Zoom and answer questions together through play and dramatic games. The sessions included storytelling, songs, and fabric for parents and children to use to make a “quilt” -- a metaphoric and tactile object representing the relationship.
This four-week intervention, delivered via Zoom, supported learning Zoom skills, facilitated attachment, and provided caregivers with a springboard to attend a more in-depth group on ambiguous loss, Bridging Loss with Wellness.
What’s Next
The Guild will continue this four-week intervention with six Lesley students this fall. This enables us to have as many as 12 families participate and can be expanded to the adult program. We also hope to have the calls take place in the residence, as it is a more natural setting and can increase the generalization of the skills learned.
Things have changed because of the pandemic, but with this change, new tools like Zoom can be used in creative, positive ways to support parents/caregivers and their children.