How are you coping with being stuck at home during this COVID-19 crisis?
With most countries under lockdown, many of us are at home working, studying or taking care of the family.
For some families raising children on the autism spectrum, this newfound isolation is an idyllic existence. The lack of crowds and noises is simply a piece of heaven for the child.
Yet for some, the pandemic has flipped the worlds of many ASD families. It has upended carefully crafted routines and schedules, and these sudden changes cause enormous distress, meltdowns and even aggression for the child.
In some cases, with schools being suspended and regular therapy sessions have been postponed or cancelled; there is a lurking fear of autism regression that many parents dread in these times.
As for us parents, we are doing our best wearing many hats from being a teacher and parent and everything in between. After a full day, this can be extremely exhausting. Let’s not even discuss our sanity that is hanging on a thread.
How to come out stronger from the COVID-19 Crisis
With no real end date in sight, something tells you that just “sitting-this- out-till-it-ends” is not going to work.
To be negative in this situation is not going to change things.
Rather, we can choose to be positive. Instead of focusing on the problems, we can be proactive about it and find productive solutions to solve things.
15 helpful tips to cope and thrive at home in this crisis
(1) Let’s Explain
It is important to explain the current situation to your ASD child.
The best way to explain to the child what is happening is to use social stories. These are simple narratives combined with visuals to illustrate certain situations and how to deal with them.
Below are some examples of social stories to help your child.
Autism Educator – Coronavirus Printable
Carol Gray – Coronavirus Social Story
Teachers Pay Teachers – FREE COVID-19 Social Stories
(2) Let’s Set a New Routine
Children on the spectrum often rely on predictable daily schedules.
The more consistency there is, the better the child will thrive.
Creating a daily schedule so that they know what to expect next relieves some of their anxiety and prevents a meltdown.
It is good to prepare a routine that resembles your child’s typical day as much as possible; this means waking up at the same time every day, having meals at scheduled times and maintaining bedtime routine is essential.
In between, schedule some activities like schoolwork, craft, reading, movement, play, rest and even household chores.
My family finds visual and written schedules very useful as this gives them a sense of predictability in their day.
(3) Let’s Entertain
Are you running out of ideas on how to entertain kids 24/7? Well, you are not alone on this.
Here are several entertaining ideas that are also engaging and beneficial for children on the spectrum.
Legos
Did you know that there are LEGO-based therapies for ASD children?
This play-based intervention develops their fine motor skills, language and social skills etc.
These little bits of toys compliments the core strengths typically found in people with autism, i.e. love for patterns, regularity, predictability and understanding how things work.
Are you interested in some lego fun? I got you covered with 25 ways to learn at home with lego.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt
It is always fun to teach and bond with children through games.
One of the best ways of helping your child develop some of the much-needed life skills such as problem-solving, reading, team building and getting a good exercise is through a scavenger hunt.
Here are 17 Indoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Toddlers to get you started.
Obstacle Courses
Need I say more?
Here are 25 easiest low prep obstacle courses for kids.
(4) Let’s Learn
Try to include some learning activities to resemble your child’s typical day.
Here are some suggested FREE online learning sites.
Academic
Computer Coding
Language
(5) Let’s Sensory Play
Many children on the spectrum have difficulty with everyday sensory stimulation, and this inability to cope with the world around them can make everyday experiences overwhelming.
Fortunately, there are many sensory activities for ASD children that can help change the way the brain reacts to touch, sound, sight and movement.
Engaging in sensory play is a fun way for them to stimulate their brain so that they can become better learners, benefit from a longer attention span and learn how to communicate with their peers.
Here are some suggested sensory play activities.
21 Sensory Activities for Kids with Autism
10 Sensory Activities for Children with Autism
(6) Let’s Cook and Bake
There is nothing more important than to teach our child essential life skills.
To cook and bake are important skills to learn. We need to provide them with the knowledge and tools to begin feeding themselves.
Here are some kid’s friendly cooking sites for aspiring young chefs.
21 Fun & Easy Recipes for Baking with Kids
My Fussy Eater – Gluten-Free Recipes
(7) Let’s Keep Fit
We all understand that exercise supports our physical health. However, during a crisis like this, it is the first activity we tend to ignore.
Being active keeps us healthy and also helps us to fight off infection.
From morning yoga, Zumba to even KPOP workouts, you can still stay active and have fun with these 15 free fun virtual workouts to get your exercise in while you are at home.
Remember – a healthy body, a healthy mind.
(8) Let’s Explore Nature
We need our vitamin D.
If your country’s situation allows it, it is good to get outside. But do take the necessary precaution and keep a safe distance from other people.
Here are 10 nature activities to help get your family through the coronavirus pandemic.
(9) Let’s Arts and Crafts
According to a study by Dr Richard Rende, creative interaction between parents and young children in activities such as art and craft not only provides immediate and long-lasting cognitive benefits but also creates a unique bonding experience.
It also helps in the development of fine-motor skills and boosts confidence and self-esteem.
Doing art and crafts have given our family a calming outlet when stress, anxious or restless. It helps improve their emotional development.
For some art project inspiration: –
40 of the best art projects for kids
100+ Easy Craft Ideas for Kids
Note to parents: While the child is busy with their crafts, take this time for a much-needed coffee break.
(10) Let’s Read
It has been a big challenge trying to balance work, children and the home all at the same time.
Audiobooks have been a lifesaver in this family. The children require little supervision during this time, giving the parents the necessary time to do their work or rest.
You can find a library of free audiobooks at Discover and Storyline Online.
(11) Let’s Self Care
Parents, let us remember the “put your oxygen mask on first” rule.
If you mindfully take the time for renewal, whatever brings you joy or energy, you will be better prepared to take each situation as it unfolds. You will be more effective in helping your children.
Self-care efforts can be simple.
For me, this means waking up early before anyone else and amping up my meditation and prayer time, journaling and taking nature walks.
Your form of self-care might look completely different, and that’s okay.
The important thing is that you make time to do whatever it is that lifts your spirits and boosts your energy.
When you do, you will be strengthening your mindset and doing everything you can to make it through these unusual times as positively as you can.
(12) Let’s Turn Off The News
It is helpful to realise you are not alone if you are experiencing feelings of helplessness or hopelessness as you watch the news coverage on the increasing spread of the pandemic.
It is a frightening time. We are wondering what is going to happen next?
While we need to stay informed, particularly about what is happening in your community, it is also just as important NOT to obsessively check the news every day.
That said, take proper precaution.
(13) Let’s Stay Connected
Isolation and loneliness can cause anxiety and depression. It can even impact our physical health. Therefore, we must stay connected even when we are practising social distancing.
I am so grateful that we are living in a time where technology allows us to connect with our family, friends, and colleagues from all over the world.
Just the other day, I had a zoom video call with my extended family. It was nice to chat with all your loved ones “under one roof”.
Schedule a regular call, video chat etc. Stay connected.
(14) Let’s Focus On The Present
The endless “what ifs” fuels our anxiety and causes us more stress. Many things in this life are beyond our control, and that is a tough thing to accept.
When you find yourself bursting with worries, write it down. Release all those cooped-up worries from the corners of your mind and let the paper deal with them.
I find it also helps to write down a list of all the possible solutions to my worries.
Let your focus be on growth, not reactive stress.
I choose to focus on things I can solve or change in the present instead of things that are beyond my control.
(15) Let’s Find The Silver Lining Even In this Crisis
They say that every cloud has a silver lining. It may be hard to find one now, but it is not impossible if we are willing to look for it.
Rather than feeling we are stuck at home, we say that we are safe at home. Enjoy the time that you are spending with your loved ones.
Instead of complaining that your child is having a meltdown, take it as an opportunity to teach him a new routine.
Instead of saying your child is going into a regression, we can take this time to engage with him and teach him a new skill.
Being negative, hateful, angry and blaming is not going to improve the situation.
Instead, we can take this opportunity for all of us to rise closer and become that person we always wanted to be.
I will always work towards being more present, more loving, more understanding and more compassionate, more curious and more healthy. That is never going to change – crisis or not.
I am inviting you to do the same.
Take this moment to step into your power.
Take control of your thoughts and actions.
Take small positive steps to help the situation so that you and your family will come out better and stronger when this chaos goes away.
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