Parenting a child with autism during COVID-19

Jacqueline Mathaga, Family Group Foundation Manager.

There is a new order with the Covid-19 pandemic. What does this mean? It means we have to change how we do things; we have to adjust to working from home and social distancing from friends and family and consequently, have a new routine. While this is aimed at flattening the curve, it also brings with it unforeseen challenges, especially for families with persons with disabilities.

I am a mother of one., with a son living with autism. As the world marks the month of autism (April), it is a good time to reflect. One of the key things when raising a child with autism is routine. All children have favourite toys or things they would like to do but for autistic children, their interests are often intense. They like to eat, sleep or play at the same time and do things in a specific order.