Sons bubble burst

[tipte]

My son is 8 and has ASD. Up until now, there's not been any cases in his school.

But today I got a call saying his classes bubble has burst so he needs to isolate. I'm just wondering how, as he won't understand why he can't go out or to school, he will also be out of routine and very bored and I want to avoid him having any meltdowns if possible.

Any advice will be appreciated.

What do you do in the school holidays? I'd just pretend it was the holidays tbh.

We normally go places in the school holidays. Which we can't do now as he's isolating. Even in the lockdowns he'd go on a walk with us etc.

Will the school be providing home learning activities as during lockdown? If so hopefully that will help form at least part of his routine.

Just go for the walks.

Just take him out for walks. This is ridiculous now and so detrimental to children’s health.

Do NOT do was PP have suggested FFS! Makes a mockery of whole system, whether you agree with it or not.

I'm also SI with an autistic child. You've just got to suck it up and stay in.

OP, what does he enjoy? Can you intersperse school activities with things he enjoys? Write a list of things and have him choose? We write out our day on a whiteboard so DC knows what the plan is.

You can explain what has happened and why in age appropriate terms. Stress that none of his class are at school now, he's not the only one.

Would some sort of calandar for counting down the days help? You could also make a "timetable" for him if that would help, the school should be doing some online stuff. Or if he's not open to home learning at this point a d you have time do fun stuff like baking.

I've always been a self isolation = stay home person but having seen Wembly tonight I would strongly consider some quiet walks if he was my child.

Just tell him it’s the holidays and do the stuff you normally would on holiday. The whole thing is beyond ridiculous now.

"Suck it up and stay in" 🙄🙄🙄

I've complied with everything and will continue to do so. But if a time comes where I think something is a detriment to my family then I will use my own common sense.
OP if it was me, I would arrange some home takeaways, Amazon orders, home learning, drives in the car, secluded walks???
Is there anyone that can support you? Take it in turns to stay at home? Come and visit the house?
It's so so so tough, thinking of you and your son xxx

Go for walks, don’t stay in for this

Keep him in the school routine. Up, breakfast and dressed. Go out and do something. Do you have some school work he can do ?

Turn on the (magnificent) football and see that you taking your son for a walk is no odds.

Look after him so he’s ok with it

I’d find it very hard to be watching the TV now and watch thousands of fans jumping around and hugging and then keep my child inside the house for the next 10 days.

When we all know that a walk outside near nobody else is perfectly safe. By now I’d be putting my kid’s health above the ‘rules’ that are basically one rule for the men and sportsmen and another rule for everyone else...

@FizzyBiscuits

Do NOT do was PP have suggested FFS! Makes a mockery of whole system, whether you agree with it or not.

I'm also SI with an autistic child. You've just got to suck it up and stay in.

OP, what does he enjoy? Can you intersperse school activities with things he enjoys? Write a list of things and have him choose? We write out our day on a whiteboard so DC knows what the plan is.

The system IS a mockery at this point. So is this government.

Take him for walks OP. I would.

But this is the point isn't it?! I don't agree with it necessarily either. But those are the rules and that is the law. Why is one person special enough enough to do what they want and the rest aren't?

I've lost a family member to COVID. I expose myself daily at work with little to no mitigations in place (because the government don't care about that either).

Finding it hard isolating is nothing compared to that loss. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a total knobhead.

Blindly following rules that make no sense without questioning them or the impact on your child is what is worrying.

The rules say currently 250,000ish children can’t leave their houses for ten days. Many for the umpteenth time this year. With all the mental and physical impact that will have. Along with the (normally) mother who yet again has to stay at home to supervise.

So we’re going to argue that a socially distanced walk for their health isn’t advisable.(we know this is ZERO risk) Yet grown men can go about as they please. Go to pubs, football matches, singing, hugging etc.

And we’re not questioning this? Madness. In fact we’re arguing for it? Wow.

On the guidance website it says "Not all these measures will be possible if you, or those you live with, have conditions such as learning disabilities, autism or serious mental illnesses. Follow this guidance to the best of your ability, while keeping yourself and those close to you safe and well, ideally in line with any existing care plans."

Friend of mine had her disabled son isolating last week, she took him for daily walks, just kept away from others. They would not have coped inside all the time.

@FizzyBiscuits

But this is the point isn't it?! I don't agree with it necessarily either. But those are the rules and that is the law. Why is one person special enough enough to do what they want and the rest aren't?

I've lost a family member to COVID. I expose myself daily at work with little to no mitigations in place (because the government don't care about that either).

Finding it hard isolating is nothing compared to that loss. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a total knobhead.

Who on here compared isolating to losing a loved one?

A child going for a walk in a quiet area is not going to give anyone Covid.

Having seen the pictures of Wembley, Wimbledon, the crowds for the Scotland game... I’m similarly inclined to say fuck it.

The level of cognitive dissonance required to sustain belief in isolating asymptomatic children, whilst also calling the football crowds low risk, is too much.

I’ve been compliant throughout the pandemic. I’ve tested and isolated my child and/or myself I think a dozen times in 18 months.

Enough.

@DinosaurDiana

Keep him in the school routine. Up, breakfast and dressed. Go out and do something. Do you have some school work he can do ?

Eh? You can't go out and do something when you're isolating, that's the very opposite of what you have to do

Read the guidelines. There is something in there about disabled people and children. Do your best to stick to the rules.

Good luck. My autistic kid is off again, no outside space, another ten days, probably. So far they have missed 42 days in school since September.

It's really difficult but doesn't have to be a nightmare. You can't go out for walks when in isolation obviously but there are loads of things you can do to make it fun at home - paddling pool, reading, make a den, arts and crafts, movies etc. You could get some of those stacking small cones and make up some garden ball games. I'd just make the most of having the time together and make it as fun as possible!

@User24689

On the guidance website it says "Not all these measures will be possible if you, or those you live with, have conditions such as learning disabilities, autism or serious mental illnesses. Follow this guidance to the best of your ability, while keeping yourself and those close to you safe and well, ideally in line with any existing care plans."

Friend of mine had her disabled son isolating last week, she took him for daily walks, just kept away from others. They would not have coped inside all the time.

Good info

I also was compliant pretty much throughout but we’re at this stage and it’s too much for children to keep taking the bigger hit, whilst adults get to have the good stuff. Which I’m not against just enjoyed our win but stuff this discrepancy

• On the guidance website it says "Not all these measures will be possible if you, or those you live with, have conditions such as learning disabilities, autism or serious mental illnesses. Follow this guidance to the best of your ability, while keeping yourself and those close to you safe and well, ideally in line with any existing care plans."

I didn't know this, so it would be ok to go out for walks then I think. Well found PP!

I'd take him for walks....It's inhumane to lock children up, let alone a child with autism who won't understand why.