The ongoing crisis of Covid-19 has many of us extremely worried, given what we have seen on the news about what is happening across these islands and the unfolding picture across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the confusion we experience can be multiplied several fold for children on the autistic spectrum where the confusion, disruption in routine and school closures can be distressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For parents and carers they will know where their child is on the range, and what information they can absorb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meta Auden of Spectra Sensory Clothing, who has a daughter on the autistic spectrum, said that this is a distressing time for parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are bombarded on the news and online with this unfolding crisis,\u201d she said. \u201cBut we mustn\u2019t let it overwhelm our children. It is crucial that we take the time to understand it ourselves and communicate appropriately.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meta said that a lot will depend on how information is conveyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt will be the case that they have questions and we must not try and sugar coat what is a serious matter, especially as it may affect relatives that your child has an attachment to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe first thing you need to remember is you are not alone in dealing with this. Other parents and carers are considering how to cope and have the same worries that you may have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you have a friends network reach out to it through your phone, the internet or social media. There is a lot of comfort to hear \u2018I know what you mean\u2019 from another parent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe exchange of tips and ideas are vital, even just to have someone to speak to that understands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meta said that there are online resources that can help. Mencap has a downloadable easy read guide: https:\/\/www.mencap.org.uk\/advice-and-support\/health\/coronavirus<\/a>. The National Autistic Society has a dedicated page that is updated regularly: https:\/\/www.autism.org.uk\/services\/nas-schools\/vanguard\/news\/2020\/march\/coronavirus-(covid-19)-advice.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese and other resources can help guide you in discussing the issues with your child,\u201d said Meta. \u201cHowever, the right here and now is when we have to confront the disruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe disruption to routine must be explained. Why they cannot visit their grandparents, why they cannot go to school, and so on must be explained frequently and with cool, simple understood terms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She was keen for parents to avoid situations that will increase stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe all want to know the latest information as it emerges, but the round the clock media coverage can be overwhelming for adults let alone for children with autism,\u201d said Meta. \u201cYou need to limit their exposure to it, as well as what you watch. When you watch or listen to the news be prepared to explain, discuss, chat or ease worries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt might be an idea to check online the latest updates from the likes of BBC News and give yourself some thinking time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meta said that comfort is not always easy to give.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe all know as parents and carers that there are things that your child reaches out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sitting in their favourite chair, wearing one item of clothing that is special, a toy they love, or their pet need to be on hand when stress triggers a response.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meta said that all parents know that the distraction techniques that work best for their child, but the emphasis on regular handwashing could be an issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe all want to keep everyone in the household safe but trying to explain to a child on the autistic spectrum the importance of regular washing can be challenging. Try and work out what will work best. The advice of singing for 20 seconds may be of help, but even more might be the videos online that explain it such as the one where someone uses black ink to show how to wash hands is useful so that they understand how thorough it needs to be. Make a game of it, if possible. \u2018Let\u2019s kill the invisible germs\u2019 or such like can make it fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The importance of issues such as coughing and sneezing, Meta said, can be tricky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRemember the simple advice: Catch it, Bin It, Kill it and repeat over and over again.\u201d \u201cThe advice, rightly so at this time, is that they should change their clothes, and wash or have a shower before contact with any member of the family,\u201d she said. \u201cIf games work for your child, get them to time how long it is before they get to see their mummy or daddy after they get home. For some children they can see how much time it takes each day and if mummy or daddy can be quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Meta said that with the spread of Covid-19 there may come a time when your child needs medical support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe thought of your child having to go into hospital, without support is frankly terrifying,\u201d she said. \u201cRemember that this is unlikely, and that the vast majority of children experience mild symptoms. If you have to contact your GP or out of-hours service, make sure that you explain your child\u2019s circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Meta said that above all, keep calm: \u201cIf we as parents can keep calm, discuss everything in a way that you know will be absorbed and do not emphasise it this will be reflected in your child.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course there can be challenges in visualising the issues for younger children. \u201cThere is a great resource on www.littlepuddin.ie<\/a> with pictures and simple terms that can be downloaded and might be useful to print out and have at hand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Above all, Meta said, take care of yourself and your own mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a troubling time,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are worried and concerned about our child and family circle. We will all be doing our best, but we should know that this will pass in time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, remember that our child is the gift that we never expected, with a character that sets them apart and deserving every second of our love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLook after yourself, look after your family and communicate as much as possible and as frequently as possible for each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information about Meta\u2019s company Spectra Sensory Clothing which sources, manufactures and retails clothing, accessories and other products aimed at people on the autism spectrum go to <\/em><\/strong>spectrasensoryclothing.co.uk<\/em><\/strong><\/a> The ongoing crisis of Covid-19 has many of us extremely worried, given what we have seen on the news about what is happening across these islands and the unfolding picture across Europe. However, the confusion we experience can be multiplied several fold for children on the autistic spectrum where the confusion, disruption in routine and … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18449"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18449"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18449\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18451,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18449\/revisions\/18451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
One area that might be a real issue is when your partner returns from work if they are a key worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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