What are parents of ASD toddlers doing to keep them entertained/busy?

[AFishInThePercolator1]

I have a 3 year old DS who has ASD and I am really struggling to think of things to do to keep him entertained while nursery is closed and while we have to isolate.
I have been taking him for a walk in the pushchair (can't let him walk as he bolts into the road) but he wants to go on the outdoor park as it's part of his routine and can't understand why we can't go there, rustling in meltdowns, so going on walks is almost as stressful as being in the house.
Just wondering what others are doing so I can get some ideas!

Anyone?

Me! I have a 3yr old girl diagnosised with autism in December non verbal limited understanding! And have a 1 year old, im having a schedule very loosley so lots of chill time , today was bit trickier as i think she is realizing things are different, im here if u want to chat/rant/of load

A timetable using picture cards twinkl have them if u have printer so basic picture cards on what u r doing could do now/ next
Im also using pushchair as she cant be trusted walking will run off no sense of danger or awareness of surroundings

The routine will become a new normal thats whay im hoping, especially if u try and do things similar order so im going out at 9 for walk then back for chill time/tv then an activity which is super simple , she only has flitting attention, then back to chill

That's the bit I'm finding difficult, having to confine him to the pushchair for the entire walk. He gets restless and wants to be able to get out and walk/run but there is nowhere enclosed for him to do that besides the park.
Struggling with at home activities as he doesn't do pretend play/imaginary play, doesn't like drawing or colouring or painting. He does like water play and that will keep him occupied for half an hour but other than that it's very tricky!
He doesn't even like watching films so I can't even sit him on the sofa with the telly. Getting very anxious now about the next few months!

My daughter is pretty much same but does seem to like painting i noticed today , i have a writst strap that i out on her when have buggy which ive found better , hes probably going to be quite unsettled for little while before it becomes new normal, i read something that says the children may stim more at moment but its a good thing means they r self regulating and to let them. We r never usually at home for long periods of time its usually super stressful and she is better out but now just got to accept thats not possible

If he was at home usually what would he do?

Thanks for that, I'll have a look at a buggy strap although I'm not sure how he'll find it. The last time I tried anything like that on him it was back pack reins and he was absolutely not having it. Flopped to the floor as soon as I put them on.
I've definitely noticed him stimming more but I've just left him to it as I can't blame him, this whole thing must be so stressful for him too as he doesn't understand why things have changed.
Normally we don't spend a lot of time at home as he is very active. He is a sensory seeker so always on the move/running/climbing. When at home he usually plays with the taps and the sink as he loves water, or spends the entire time following me about 😂

I let my little one play with the hose outside she loves water too , its a very difficult time as its so uncertain but im thinking we clearly will get through it we have no choice but im here if u need me

Thanks, it's good to talk to someone in the same boat!

Im finding the opposite problem as my little one i think isn't used to me being there all time and likes to just be on own but im obviously in living room with her so ive made hallway into chill out sensory room with duvet on floor cushions and light toys ive had to lock downstairs toliet door for outside to stop her playing with taps and sticking hand down toliet! 🙈

Yes I have to lock the toilet door from the outside with a spoon for the same reasons! And also because of DS's awful obsession with the toilet brush! He loves nothing more than to wave it in my face saying "look! a toilet brush!"

In a similar boat here as my nearly 4 year old DS is currently under assessment for asd and he has virtually no imaginary play, rarely will play on his own and won’t watch the tv for longer than ten minutes. He is also a bolter and will not walk nicely along the road holding my hand at all. And me and DH will both be trying to work from home full time (we are currently drawing up a rota so DS gets whoever is on the shifts full attention).

Hi Click. It's going to be a tough few weeks/months isn't it. Even harder that you've got to WFH.
I'm getting so stressed about it that I couldn't sleep last night so I wrote down four things that I can do with DS each day. They're only small things that'll probably only hold his attention for a short time but it makes me feel better to have at least a small plan!

Thanks @afish yes that’s a good idea. We plan to write a list of ideas and we have various sheets of ideas from his speech and language therapy sessions that we will try to do (if we ever get him to sit still!). If it was up to DS he would want videos of trains and buses on YouTube all day (that he will constantly change after a few minutes!)

My son loves his trampoline in our courtyard and sometimes I will put music on for him whilst he bounces. Another activity for outside is drawing on the walls / patio with chalk. Does your little one have a scooter or balance bike? I have found them excellent for releasing energy and they are also good for balancing and coordination. I’m not sure if you have any charity shops nearby but I also found my son loves jigsaws and duplo. I think making a list of activities (pinterest has some good ideas) is a good way of managing the days. Also kids yoga online my son does go noodle at school and I might look this up. Good luck everybody.....I’ve decided to not think about the weeks ahead but just take it a few hours at a time!

Oh yes and my son loves cars so I have done lots of things around this ie cutting colouring reading sticking drawing cars. I’ve bought lots of car related books magazines etc from charity shops and let him do whatever he wants with them.