Many people have a precarious state of mental health after an entire year of the pandemic. Anxiety is at an all time high and many people are feeling the strain. Relationships are at risk as are jobs and studies due to people being on edge.
And things can be made worse for those with autism. These are confusing times for everybody, but children with autism are especially vulnerable to the stress from these uncertain times.
Helping kids with autism is a challenge even during the best of times, so you’re likely going to need some advice when it comes to getting through a quarantine with an autistic child. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can do to help get through quarantine with an autistic child. After which, you can get more information from the Children’s Autism Center.
Maintain routines
Routines are very important for autistic children. Doing things in the same way all the time gives them a sense of security and helps reduce any anxiety that could otherwise settle in.
It also helps them understand what is expected from them so they don’t have to wonder if they are doing the right thing or what they should be doing in a certain situation. They love knowing what to expect and the routine helps this.
When you are in quarantine your usual schedule may be very different. This could cause a lot of confusion for your child. Not going to school or even having parents home and not at work can cause a lot of anxiety.
Try to maintain the same routines as much as you can from before the quarantine. Snack time should stay the same and dinner as well. If they are allowed to watch cartoons at certain times then this schedule should be kept.
Find coping strategies
You are likely to deal with a lot of acting out at this time. The anxiety is going to manifest itself in ways that are very challenging. Pay attention to what is causing the outbursts and see if you can remove those incidents to prevent further problems.
You should also use some of the tried and true methods that you have used in the past to help your child cope with stress. Identify potential problems before they arise and have some of those methods ready to deploy when you anticipate an outburst.
It could be some time to do Lego, or a bath or something else that you have been using as a method to defuse an explosive situation. These coping mechanisms help them realign themselves and deal with the anxiety they are feeling.
Get exercise
Being stuck at home is going to lead to problems if kids are not allowed to get their energy out. Try to organize some game time to play in the yard or even in the house to get some exercise in.
The endorphins they feel from exercise or play is going to help keep them happy and less likely to delve into an anxiety attack later on.