To say we are living in interesting times, is the understatement of the century! COVID-19 has taken the entire world by storm and it has complicated the special needs community in more ways than one can imagine. As a nurse and parent of a special needs young adult, I have a unique vantage point to view the fresh challenges this population now face. New issues on top of existing ones does make caring for a special needs person much more difficult in these times.
Depending on the intellectual level of your child, or young adult how do you teach safety form this virus? Frequent handwashing, no face touching, virtual schooling, social distancing and sheltering in place are all concepts most people with special needs will have difficulty understanding.
As the coronavirus ravage our communities and threaten to upend our routines as we know it, what can families do to establish new routines, especially amongst school age children with Autism or other disabilities? Given the fact that this group thrives on the familiar, it is no coincidence that the changes families have to make due to COVID-19 will in most cases have devastating impact.
Virtual education has also brings with it, a whole new set of anxieties for parents with school age children, who must continue to learn, so that gains made are not lost. Many parents feel inept to take on the role of teacher, which adds to the stress of having your child or young adult at home 24/7.
The added stressors brought on by COVID-19 is indeed a conundrum, but the special needs population has never shied away from challenges, so together we will figure this one out too. The good news is, we are not alone; everyone is trying to find ways to adjust to this temporary norm but great resources are available to help us get through it. The link below is an amazing collaborative blog by ABAdesk & Adventures with Autism and it is chock-full of innovative tips and ideas on things to do as we shelter in place, try to execute virtual schooling, and re-invent routines/schedules. etc. http://blog.abadesk.com/2020/03/16/surviving-the-covid-19-pandemic-with-children/
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also published a Q&A that provides some relevant information for parents who have questions about legal rights as it relates to the education of a special needs child during the pandemic. See link below.
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/idea-files/q-and-a-providing-services-to-children-with-disabilities-during-the-coronavirus-disease-2019-outbreak/
COVID-19 is here, it is our reality for now, and in our special needs world the best we can do is to keep things simple. Every day, try to do two basic things; keep your special needs loved one’s schedule as close to normal as possible, and find a little time to do some self-care.
AND through it all, don’t forget to breathe.