Published on 12, July, 2020
My adult son hates any change however little to his routines and activities. I have not been able to get him to understand why he must wash his hands frequently, stop shaking hands, that shops have shortages and events and activities may be cancelled. Has anyone advice on how to explain the virus to him?
Oh I'm sorry to hear. That must be awful for you both. I've seen people have been visiting by going to the windows and talking over the phone if on the ground floor.video calling is also used at the moment. I'm not sure what else but maybe someone will have other ideas
My adult son has autism severe he lives local to me I normally have my son visit me at my home on a Tuesday and Saturday and I visit him on Thursday and Sunday we have always done this due to Coronavirus his care home will not allow him home or me to visit
I am finding this very hard as will my son and I can't explain to him why this is happening asked care home if I can visit and not mix with other residents as we stay in his room don't know how long I can cope as finding it hard anyone in similar circumstances or advice would be great
There's a link on this page to a social story which has helped my son: https://www.autism.org.uk/services/helplines/coronavirus/resources/information.aspx
Hi, i know it's easy for me to say this and much harder to do it - but maybe see if you can help him to make a plan (himself) so he is in control. I have always been wary of hygeine because i'm terrified of contracting a vomiting bug or food poisoning. But I have read about it and decided on my own routines, some of which other people do and some which are seen as different or eccentric / borderline OCD.
With coronavirus the best advice has been to imagine you have got it, with no symptoms, but must avoid infecting anyone else. Maybe he will understand the concept of a "carrier" and take on the duty of not passing it on, providing he doesn't feel that someone else is controlling him.
Yes. I'd suggest telling him that there is a really bad cold going around and until it's dealt with, we have to change the way we do things.
Cannot live independently. He organises his world and makes himself feel safe by rigid structure and routine - so this is the worst sort of disruption because no one can tell him when it will end
How highly functioning is he?
You may like to contact our Autism Helpline team. They can provide you with information and advice. You can call them on 0808 800 4104 (Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 9am to 3pm).Please note that the Helpline is experiencing a high volume of calls and it may take a couple of attempts before you get through to speak to an advisor.
Elena Mod