To think it’s really hard for autistic children at the moment

[Scottishmum1984]

This really struck a chord with me as my friend’s son is struggling at the moment. www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-mum-shares-heartbreaking-reality-19325731?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

that link isn't working, OP.

But, yes, its even harder than normal for young people with ASD, I agree!

She shouldn't be sharing images of her autistic child in distress. Ever.

It is very difficult as there’s no routine, so many changes. My friend’s son has ASD and having to self isolate from school repeatedly has been so difficult.
What I would say is that article could have been written a year ago- it says nothing about how Covid 19 (ie life at the moment) affects him, just haircuts.

For us, there have been some plusses: much smaller classes, strict rules.

Same. My friend’s son has had to self isolate twice from school and it has really added to the issues :( it’s so hard

Agree @LegoPandemic the haircut issue isn't a covid related issue.

Yes. I've got 2 boys with autism and they are both really struggling.

My DC has suffered immensely but I will not be posting images of them in distress online.

Instead I am working on giving them as much 1-1 contact time with me as possible, and liaising with his school daily to monitor him.

Autistic people prefer not to described as 'having autism' or 'with autism' btw

Well yes it's hard as there's lack of routine but my son has always struggled with haircuts so my Dh does it himself with clippers.

My ASD son likes it more now then normal times. Small classes with the same people and no mixing in crowds at lunch.

He likes being at home even more so isolated with no problem. Suppose its different for everyone but my sons definitely more happy in this mad world.

The biggest plus for my ds is being able to hide behind his mask. If the world gets a bit much he pulls it up to cover his face!

It is unreasonable to post the photos of the distressed child online.

Is this the right link? It seems to be about a haircut not covid.

My sons biggest challenge is that he's becoming very comfortable in his own space and when we do go out it's really challenging for him. It took a long time for him to adjust to the demands of different places in the community.

He describes himself as autistic @heydoggee but he's only 15 so this might change with time. I love that the autistic community are challenging the boxes that people have put them in for many years

I have a relative who has Aspergers and has found it very difficult, especially when school was shut.

It’s not just Autism, whilst DS2 has a Autism diagnosis it’s his cognitive disability that is the problem. He is very active and loves being outside but not in the form of walks. He is biting his arms to the point of bleeding and scars. School and respite can no longer cope and we have had to go down the route of medication. He is desperate to be out but with social distancing and not being able to comprehend why his favourite places are closed the results in his behaviours are heartbreaking.

@heydoggee
That’s really interesting. I always thought it was the other way around- so saying someone “is Down’s” was rude but saying they are “a person with Down’s” was ok. That is they are a person who happens to have that particular condition rather than they are that condition.
Am I wrong as I wouldn’t want to be rude and sometimes have to use descriptors like that in a professional capacity.

My son is finding it less difficult as there are less social pressures, everyone is different.

I don’t agree with the video of the child being posted, it’s unfair to make something private so public. I also don’t know anyone who doesn’t know that having an autistic child not is all rainbows and light.

@heydoggee I have to disagree. It's not up to us to say how people with Autism/Autistic people would like to be addressed.
It's an individual preference and should be up to the person to decide.

I find it's had its positives and negatives.
Have 2 dc with asd who love lock down however get very distressed with the issolating and then going back to school. They also can't cope with rule breaking. In fact my nt dc has found it harder in many respects than the asd dc. My biggest issue is the lack of support was pulled in March and still not receiving the support we've been told they need (the same with their medical needs).
I solved the hair cut issue by having a home hair dresser so they're in their own environment, same person each time and he's aware of the issues.

I’m sure it’s hard for a lot of autistic children but MY autistic child loves it! Going outside makes him anxious full stop so not being allowed out was bliss as far as he was concerned. He LOVES wearing a mask as he says it makes him feel invisible. 50% of his lessons are online so he only has to go to college a couple of times a week which is great for someone who has anxiety about being outside and travelling in public transport.

Yes, it's difficult, I have four children two of which have, amount other things, ASD. It's super hard. To be honest lockdown worked well for mine, but since being back they are struggling much more, especially sign the stop and start of having to isolate all the time.

I've got had to deal with violence really for years with mine but I have bruises, it super hard to see them so distressed. I look forward to half term and selfishly I hope schools close early although before I get flamed I don't support that at all as I think it would be catastrophic for the economy.

Lack of school was awed up but okay now. When people moan about lock down I think well this has been my life for the past 15 years, in fact I was going out more during the last lock down because I got a key worker job to help out so went out to work rather than working from home.

I'm an autistic as are my children and they absolutely love it. Routine is better as there's no waiting around et at school pick up/drop off, no mixing of classes so social situations are improved etc. A lot mod my eldest classes are online so she doesn't have to go into school but can do them at home so anxiety levels are massively reduced. Hospital appts have been via zoom which is so much easier, i appreciate that it is not the same for every autistic though.