A mother who wishes to stay anonymous explains the difficulties her autistic son John* faced during the pandemic and lockdown.
She explains how it’s: “Quite difficult for [John] because he didn’t see anybody and didn’t have any social interaction what so ever.”
Only four weeks into lockdown he had “no interest in anybody” due to the lack of interaction.
She became worried he would become agoraphobic so needed to “reintroduce some carers for him”. Meaning he could begin to socialise again and regain some sense of normality.
I hate the coronavirus, I hate it mummy.
Although John doesn’t comprehend exactly what the pandemic is and how to deal with it, the “hatred he has for the coronavirus is second to none”, to the extent his mother isn’t allowed to watch the news when he’s around and constantly says “I hate the coronavirus, I hate it mummy”.
The pandemic has affected everyone’s routine, a change everyone needed to adapt to, however, this change isn’t so easy for an autistic child as they “thrive on routine”.
John became “frightened to go out the front door” to begin with in fear of anyone having covid-19 in public. The family found the only way to get him out of the house was to go out for drives.
Now he’ll go out on walks, but screams if anyone doesn’t abide my social distancing rules.
Autistic children have struggled more than we are aware during the pandemic, John’s story proves this.
*Not the child’s real name
To see more on this topic:
How autism awareness and resources have developed over time
Autism Wessex appeals for help and donations at Christmas.
How autism awareness and resources have developed over time