The COVID-19 pandemic presents many challenges for everyone across the globe. However, with the closing of schools and therapeutic service centres, this can be a particularly challenging time for parents and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Below is a compilation of tips and strategies on how to continue to support your child with autism during these difficult times
Create a routine and try to follow it consistently
Although every day may look slightly different, children with autism tend to cope better when consistent routines are in place. It is important to replace unstructured downtime with structured activities.
Use visuals
It is important to use visual schedules. The schedule can be presented in the form of pictures, written text or as part of an app on the iPad. This helps your child understand the structure of the day and anticipate the activities that will ensue.
A visual schedule can also be broken down into First-Then. Instead of simply showing your child all of the activities that will occur throughout the day, you can break it down per activity. For example: FIRST brush teeth, THEN play with toys.
A visual of the child’s rules should be placed somewhere visible so the parent/child can refer to these regularly. Rules could include: sit nicely, good hands, quiet voice, listen to mom/dad etc.
Establish reinforcers
In order to get your child motivated to complete activities, work on academic material or play with their siblings, it is CRUCIAL to establish a set of reinforcers that your child will be motivated to work for. Reinforcers can be praise, certain toys or activities, hugs/tickles, tokens, snacks, stickers etc.
Once these are established, put aside a set of these reinforcers and only allow the child to play with them if they complete a required activity first. For example, FIRST complete a worksheet, THEN play with the dollhouse.
It is important to rotate highly reinforcing items to prevent boredom. For example, you could separate the toys into 3-4 different bins. On Monday, bin 1 is available, then on Tuesday bin 2 and so on.
Many children with autism exhibit rigid behaviour patterns and may fixate on certain toys/activities. For instance, if you find your child only wants to play with the iPad, create a choice board visual showing perhaps 2-3 other play items as well as the iPad. Have the child play with the other items first before earning the iPad. You may also need to teach the child how to play with the items and derive reinforcement from them.
Signal transitions with timers
To help provide structure, use timers to signal the duration of breaks, as well as when it is time to transition to a different activity.
Pair this with verbal reminders. For example, “You have 1 more minute to play, then it’s time to work.”
Continue to focus on communication
It is beneficial to constantly label items/activities/people etc. within the child’s environment. Even if they do not say or repeat the words themselves, they may still be absorbing and understanding them.
If your child wants something, have them use their words to express themselves. Each child’s communication system may look different. For instance, some children may be vocal, others may use pictures, sign language or an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. Whatever their system, ensure to encourage them to use it to express their wants and needs. Check out Psychmind’s article on teaching communication to your child with autism for more details on this subject.
Environmental enrichment
Ensure to have a variety of toys, games and activities available during this home-bound period. These can include: puzzles, arts and crafts games, online educational games, bouncy balls, simple play items (ring stacker, hammer and pegs, shape sorter), and more complex games (plastic food, puppets, board games etc.)
Create different zones within your child’s room or wherever available at home. For instance, set up a work area with a table and chair, a movement/sensory break area with sensory toys, a cool down corner with coping tools (ex. Stress ball, pillow), and a timeout area (no toys/activities). By segregating space, the child can associate the different activities with the different areas which will help the child understand what is expected of him/her when in certain areas of the room/house.
Continue to teach skills
While you can continue to teach academic skills, particularly if your child is in school and receiving e-learning work, this can be an opportunity to focus on a variety of other skills.
Social Skills: have conversations with your child and continue to elaborate on the number of words/sentences your child is able to say. This can also be a time to work on various play skills either alone or with siblings. You can focus on parallel play (having the child play next to siblings) or cooperative play (having the child play with siblings). You can focus on turn taking, sharing, giving high 5’s when playing. You can supplement this with visuals to help the child engage appropriately and also use a timer to signal how long the interaction will go on for.
Self–Help Skills: important skills could include washing hands, getting dressed, brushing teeth, showering, making snacks, and doing chores around the house. Depending on how your child learns, you may need to break down the skills or use visuals to help the child complete these skills independently.
Social Stories: these are an important tool to help children with autism understand what is going on in the world around them. This is a confusing time for everyone but perhaps especially so for children with autism. Providing them a social story using pictures as well as simple and concrete language can help them grasp what is happening and why. When reading the story, it could be helpful to ask them questions to ensure comprehension.
Explore online resources
There are a multitude of online resources where you can find educational games, worksheets, books, social stories, ready-made and planned out activities, visuals and much else.
You can also find support groups, reach out to other parents of children with autism, and find telehealth services online.
Manage challenging behaviour
Establish a behaviour plan. This may already be done for you if your child was receiving services from a centre. If so, reach out to them for a copy of the plan. It is important to be consistent when implementing a behaviour plan in order for it to be successful. It is also important to teach replacement behaviours for the maladaptive behaviours. For example, if your child hits in order to get things he/she wants, ensure you are teaching your child how to communicate appropriately using whichever communication system works best for your child. There will be another article coming soon on managing challenging behaviour.
REINFORCE
Perhaps the most important step is to always ensure you are reinforcing and rewarding your child for engaging in appropriate behaviours, even if it is something very small. If your child hands over a toy to their sibling – reinforce. If they brush their teeth appropriately – reinforce. If they complete a worksheet – reinforce. If they greet a family member by waving – reinforce! It can sometimes be easy to get stuck in a cycle of focusing on what the child cannot do; however, it is vital for the child’s progress to ensure you reinforce any and every appropriate response.
While this may seem like a long, daunting list, it is by no means expected that you, as a parent, follow each and every step perfectly. Do not feel pressured to do it all! These are tips in order for you to take what works for you and manage carrying them out around your work and routine. No one expects you to be parent, teacher and therapist all in one. It is vital for you to take time to yourself and do things that help reduce any stress and anxiety that you may be feeling. If that means allowing your child extra screen time, then that is something you need to do for your own mental and emotional health. If you continue to focus on others without tending to yourself you will likely experience burnout. Caring for others is important but it is just as important to make sure you tend to your own needs and get the care and support you require.
Check the links below for access to free visual samples:
