Are children with autism classed as vulnerable?

[Giveronyoursausage]

I've been given the chance to return to work but my employers don't want anyone who is at risk or living with someone at risk to return.
My ds has asd and I'm not sure if I can go or not can anyone help?

I don't think those with ASD/learning difficulties are in the shielded group.

DD has ASD and learning difficulties, I am a lone parents and I need to take her to the shops. She does not understand the social distancing,is getting close to people all the time is touching things in shops, then touches her face/mouth. I keep telling her off none stop but she just doesn't understand what is going on at all. Hand washing is a nightmare too due to severe sensory issues.

I really don't understand why this groups has not been included as they are much more vulnerable in getting Covid in the first place as many will struggle to follow the rules and lone parents will have to take them to the shops where there are ample opportunities to catch Corona if you don't follow certain safety precautions.

I have three with autism, and strictly isolating, only going on the garden. There is this guidance

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/C0031Specialty-guideeLD-and-coronavirus-v1-24-March.pdf

@Fabellini, that’s my position too. If I go, DS will not manage. He’s 19.

I absolutely do think that my child's particular autism makes her more vulnerable, less able to understand or tell us how she is feeling. Everything to do with her health is guesswork for me as she can't answer questions with meaningful answers. She wouldn't at all cope in a hospital and we are shielding her and isolating our family to make sure this doesn't happen. Even at home we wouldn't be unable to isolate her from the rest of the family and she wouldn't be able to wash her hands or cover her mouth when she coughed.

@TheLadyAnneNeville It’s such a worry, isn’t it? Now, more than ever, obviously - but in normal life too.

@Fabellini, yes. Every day, I have the fear. The sickening “what will happen to him when I’m old/cannot look out for him/die. But frankly I thought I had more time to get ds to a more independent place. It may not be so. And the stress of that is colossal.

@MabelBee.