Section 7: How the pandemic affected children’s mental health and wellbeing 7.2 Physical health and wellbeing Children, and parents/guardians and grandparents were asked about their physical health and wellbeing. Many expressed worries about the physical impacts of catching the virus for themselves and others. Some had fears about the COVID-19 vaccine. They also responded to questions about their exercising, eating, and sleeping routines pre- and postpandemic. (a) Fears about catching the virus and having the COVID-19 vaccine In free-text responses, children shared their worries about the virus and their apprehensions about the COVID-19 vaccination. Responses by parents/guardians and grandparents about their child’s sleeping and eating habits were consistent with children’s self-reports. Differences could be seen in responses about physical health. Prior to the pandemic, many children with disabilities were already experiencing barriers and difficulties in accessing supports to meet their specific and diverse needs. The pandemic exacerbated these difficulties with disruptions to daily routines and restricted access to supports usually provided face-to-face.27 One mother reported: Similar concerns were also reflected in a survey on the impacts of the pandemic on children with a disability and their families, conducted by Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) in May 2020.28 Some responses by parents/guardians and grandparents served as a reminder that the pandemic occurred alongside other significant and tragic life events which impacted on family life and children’s mental health and wellbeing. My children have disabilities and being locked inside led to dysregulation, aggressive outbursts, holes in walls and windows, scaling fences and climbing up things to get out of the property. very very stressful all the time with little opportunity to deal with the issues and no real chance to work on preventing this without any adequate rest at all for over 2 years now. —Mother, VIC 60 | ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 61