This April Is Canceled, But Autism Is Still Here

In the midst of the coronavirus, you might not realize that it is World Autism Awareness Day. Heck, you might not even realize that it’s April. I have no idea if the world still plans to light it up blue (though I’m fine if they don’t). While we were inundated with all things Covid-19, the new autism rate – a 10% increase (from 2006 to 2008 birth years) – was quietly released. You may not have realized that either.

Autism Isolation

Unless you are living it, few people realize what life with autism is like. We are often isolated, dismissed, forgotten. In that sense, we are probably better able to handle the nationwide quarantines.

But in many ways, this confinement is so hard for our kids on the spectrum. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it often takes a team of experts to help a child with autism thrive. We are used to (and blessed to have) almost daily OT, speech, and ABA therapies. Having everything disappear at once has been a huge shock. Some of this is being set up remotely, but it’s not the same.

Kids on the spectrum usually thrive on routine, and that has definitely been changed for everyone. For my son Christopher, it is not only essential for him to stick with his routine, but also that he stay active and engaged. Being limited to what we have available in our home and backyard, dividing time among him and his siblings for schoolwork and other activities, and trying to find some sense of normalcy hasn’t been easy.

The confusion about what’s going on can be stressful for our kids as well. Christopher is mostly nonverbal. So I’m trying to explain to him what’s going on (as best that I can considering I’m stressed and confused as well!). But, I know he must have questions that he can’t articulate and I can’t anticipate. I can only imagine what is going through his mind during this confusing time.

Of course this pandemic is hard on all of us. But I can definitely see that this is taking its toll on Christopher more than my other kids. He’s bored, anxious, stimming, and agitated. We, like everyone, are trying to settle into this new way of life and create new routines and some sense of normal. And, hopefully at some point, some joy and fun. But I’m not going to lie or sugar coat it – this is hard!!!!. And we still have a loooong way to go before this is over.

Stay Strong

But our kids on the spectrum are also so strong. They’ve already been through so much in their lives. And they’ve been adapting to and navigating our world, which is not an easy task for them, for so long. We can learn a lot from them and their resilience during this difficult time.

We send our prayers to everyone affected, especially those who are sick and those on the front lines. To everyone stuck at home waiting out this isolation period: whether you are crushing it, losing your mind, or anywhere in between – please extend support and kindness to those who might have extra challenges, especially families with autism.