The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is keeping everyone at home, and far from others, to prevent the spread of the virus. It’s changed many of our everyday routines. Adapting to a new routine is stressful for everybody, but especially for children with autism who have trouble with change. But as parents, you will be able to help them to adjust to the situation by keeping certain points in mind.

• Start with the kid’s typical routine: Try to maintain the same routine that the children usually do to help them be comfortable with the transition.
• Ensure that your child feels secure & not anxious. The anxiety of parents during this lockdown may worsen behavioral issues in children with ASD. If it’s an older child, try and make him understand the situation & assure that things will get away after some time. Do not stress on teaching new things at this point. Give activities that the kid is comfortable & familiar with & those which relax the kid.
• Prioritize Calming Skills: It’s important to keep up a relaxed environment at home. Activities like relaxing baths, singing, practicing breathing, or just talking and make that a part of a daily routine.
• Spend some time outside: Allow the children to urge fresh air and sunshine and it will break the monotony.
• Prioritize Calming Skills: It’s important to keep up a relaxed environment at home. Activities like relaxing baths, singing, practicing breathing or just talking and make that a part of a daily routine.
• With the assistance of social stories, explain to them what should they are doing in those situations. Many social stories have pictures to go along with them, so it’ll help the child to understand the steps for:
  • Washing hands, wearing a mask, and other ways to remain healthy and safe
  • Staying a minimum of 6 feet away from outsiders

• Maintain a routine for sleep-wake time, eating time, playtime, TV time, etc.
• Take time off to teach daily living skills: Children who are on the spectrum struggle with daily living skills, like brushing their teeth, washing their hands, or tying their shoes. Now we all are with them so we will get enough time to show these skills.
• The child might also be kept involved in simple home activities like watering plants, folding clothes, etc. which might make them feel inclusive & useful.
• When they cope well or complete their task, reinforce their self-esteem by taking photographs or videos of their achievements.
• Parents can provide little challenges to basic survival needs in a compassionate way, not by teaching them what to do rather they can do all those things passionately in front of them (this helps them in understanding their roles in day-to-day life) without keeping any expectations from them.

This is the best time to create your autistic child independent inside the house and integrate the child with the members of the family. So by these ways, you’ll help your child cope up with the new situation and later they will understand the outer world better than before.

As parents, you know how your child learns best, so use those methods to teach them.