Supporting Autistic Children during the Covid-19 Pandemic

The pandemic has affected every one of us, but it has been especially difficult for children with developmental disorders. However, there are ways to help them cope with it. Read on to learn more.

We all know that the pandemic started last year, and strict actions were taken to curb its spread. Lockdowns were imposed and people were confined in their houses, which took a toll on our physical, mental, emotional, and financial health. Work and school schedules completely changed, and we faced problems trying to adjust to them. So imagine how difficult it would have been for people suffering from autism or other developmental disorders.

Autism Fact Sheet

It is a neurodevelopmental disability that affects a child’s social, behavioral, and communication skills. Autism affects information processing in the brain and how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize. Diagnosis of such a disorder is difficult as there are no certain tests available, but it can be detected at 18 months or younger, and by age 2, the diagnosis can be considered reliable. According to experts, autism can be caused by environmental, biological, and genetic factors.

Challenges of Pandemic

In this COVID-19 pandemic, many adults and children are simultaneously working and learning from home. Adjusting to a new routine such as this can present unique challenges for autistic individuals and their families. Changing restrictions and the impact of lockdown on usual routines harmed mental health not only for us but also for people with developmental disorders. The pandemic also led to limited access to health and social care services, which caused anxiety.

A study concluded that government messaging around COVID was not always understandable and led to heightened stress and anxiety. Some autistic people reported being scared to leave their homes for fear of involuntarily breaking lockdown rules, such as wearing masks and social distancing. Disruption of established routines because of the pandemic led to both emotional and behavioral problems for some autistic adults and children, but change can also bring growth. One autistic child is learning to cook; an autistic teenager is penning poetry again; and another boy is just starting to express his emotions on a digital platform his teachers created.

People suffering from autism and other developmental disorders require structure and routines, something that every parent must have heard. But what does it mean? When your child has day-to-day routines and a schedule to follow, this creates structure in their lives. Consistent house rules, expectations, and consequences understood by your child help maintain a predictable environment. In a structured environment, your child knows what to expect. This knowledge creates a sense of security, which is why most children benefit from structure. The symptoms of autism lead to problems with self-control; as a result, they need more external controls (i.e., structure) to help them manage symptoms. When you create structure at home, you are providing the support needed to help your child be successful and develop greater competence. As a result, your child's self-confidence grows and helps them develop skills to organize and structure their lives as they move into adulthood.

Autistic children may not understand why their daily routine is changing, which may lead to stress, frustration, or anxiety. These emotional triggers can exacerbate the effects of autism and may lead to more severe behavioral and communication problems. Parents and caregivers may find themselves struggling to balance their professional and household responsibilities while supporting their children during these uncertain times. 

Autistic children are at a greater risk of getting infected with coronavirus because people with them are more likely to live in a group setting, be unable to communicate about having symptoms, or have trouble understanding or following safety measures. Sometimes it is difficult for people with autism to wear masks and maintain social distance, increasing the risk of spreading or acquiring COVID-19. People with intellectual disabilities are more likely to have other health problems such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, increasing their risk for infection and COVID-19. Therefore, it is more important for them to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Coping Strategies and How to help

How do we accommodate our autistic loved ones during a pandemic in ways that respect their needs and their style of managing stress? Here are some tips on how to manage autism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Be patient: If you need time to adjust to the limits and demands of sheltering in place, your autistic loved ones need even more time. Do not expect them to immediately adapt to new routines, such as online learning or being housebound. Make their new routines as engaging on their terms as possible. Understand that some matters, such as wearing a mask, may never be possible for sensory reasons. And find a way to use whatever communication style works best for your child.

• Provide structure: Be predictable and reliable. Make sure you adhere to a routine and explain any changes before they happen, if possible. People can minimize significant changes to their family’s routine by: 

1. Waking up and going to bed at the same time.

2. Doing school and work activities during weekdays 

3. Blocking out time for breaks, snacks, and screen time 

4. Cooking and eating meals at consistent times. 

5. Scheduling social activities, such as video chats and phone calls with friends and other family members on the weekend.

According to the Autism Society, parents and caregivers should reward flexibility. Allowing extra time to accommodate small changes may help prevent a person from feeling overwhelmed.

1. Calm and emphatic manner: So, your child doesn’t unintentionally take on any difficult emotions that you may be dealing with yourself. You both may need more space than usual. 
2. Try limiting unnecessary background noises: This means turning off the television and other electronics during school time. 
3. Keep the house tidy: Parents and caregivers can even make tidying a family activity. Block out some time in the evening for cleaning up communal spaces, putting away toys, and washing the dishes. 
4. Avoid unnecessary stress: Consider taking a break from reading, watching, or listening to the news. 
5. Try incorporating relaxing activities into the family’s routine: These include deep breathing, yoga, reading, and listening to calming music.

• Let your child self-govern: Rocking, hand-flapping, using a fidget, as long as they are self-regulating and not hurting themselves, and try to understand your autistic child’s take on self-soothing.

• Child’s social behavior: Some autistic children are introverts and find comfort inside their homes. While some are extroverts and miss their social lives so be mindful of your child’s social disposition.

• Physical Activity: Especially if the child is energetic. Any exercise or movement is good. Physical activity is crucial to many autistic people’s ability to self-regulate. Researchers evaluated findings from eight studies that focused on the effects of exercise on autism in children under the age of 16. The researchers found that autistic children who exercised three times per week showed significant reductions in repetitive and aggressive behaviors. The researchers explain that these behavioral improvements may last for at least 2 hours after exercising.

• Sign of sickness: Be aware that autistic people cannot always perceive or express feeling ill and, regardless, may not behave like a typical sick person. Some will implode when sick, some will keep on as though they are not sick at all, and in some cases, autistic children with fevers will be more engaged or self-regulated than usual.

• Talk about the pandemic: Although some autistic children may not fully understand the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and caregivers can focus on explaining their family’s current situation and how it affects the child’s regular activities. If a child asks about the pandemic, try to use clear, direct explanations and avoid unnecessary details that could confuse or scare them.

• Important precautions: Also, explain that they can keep themselves and others from getting sick if they follow these precautions: 

1. Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. 
2. Practicing physical distancing by staying at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from other people in public areas. 
3. Although it’s difficult wearing a mask or cloth over their nose and mouth in public spaces is crucial. 
4. Frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer.

Hope with Management

H.O.P.E – Hold On Pain Ends. This pandemic has instilled fear in our hearts and minds, but we all hope that this will end soon and people can live freely. I am also hoping that children with autism can fight through this and come out victorious in the end. This will only be possible if parents follow the points mentioned in the article guiding them to take care of their autistic child in this pandemic.