Managing at Home During the Coronavirus

Enhancing Lives

Individuals - Families - Communities

Confidence - Competence - Capacity

Spring 2020

Managing the Extended School Break

Due to COVID-19

The recent changes, including school closures, due to COVID-19 have many of us trying to figure out how to manage the extended time our children will be out of school. This can be a challenge for any parent. However, these unexpected changes can be especially difficult for children with ASD and their families. Some children will love the extra time at home while other children may be upset that they are not returning to school after spring break.

Below are a few tips and resources to help you make the best of the next few weeks.

Social Narrative to Help Explain COVID-19 to Your Child

Some of our children may be worried about COVID-19 and may find it helpful to learn more about it. Here are some ready-made social stories to help you talk to your child about COVID-19.

Amanda McGuinness, The Autism Educator. Coronavirus Social Narrative. (Thank you to Brandy Parks from SoonerSuccess for pointing out this resource)

https://theautismeducator.ie/2020/03/11/corona-virus-social-story/?fbclid=IwAR1D9VGMgwJSXG29OokNgweF2eJ7l39mFaGOTOVCQRUkwCdnDnqWLHNGz4Y

University of Miami-Nova Southeastern CARD. Coronavirus Social Narrative.

http://umcard.org/files/3915/8422/3594/COVID-19_Social_Narrative.pd f (printable document)

Carol Gray, creator of Social Stories. Pandemics and the Coronavirus Social Story.

https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf

Autism Little Learners. Coronavirus Social Narrative.

https://www.autismlittlelearners.com/2020/03/free-coronavirus-social-narrative-for.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR2J7FJwx-47AcxGwk442raF2FxhAGk6zedaE2uoI148OncOWWL5fWOznbQ

Creating Structure

Most children with ASD prefer some level of structure and familiarity in their day to day routines. While it is typically not possible to create the same amount of structure at home that children have at school, there are some ways to provide structure at home so your child at least knows what to expect from day to day.

Create anchor points in your day to give you child some idea of what to expect. You don’t have to plan out every moment of the day, but provide some general idea of what you will be doing each day. Below is an example:
Breakfast
Play with toys
Electronic time
Lunch
Play outside
Play with toys or electronic time
Dinner
Bath
Bed
Use visual supports to help communicate the routine or any upcoming activities to your child. What type of visual supports depends on your child’s current skill level. You can use pictures that you take on your phone, a written schedule if your child reads, or line drawings that you can typically find on-line. You may also use a calendar with a picture or something that represents being home on each of the days that school is out (currently until April 6th for all public schools in Oklahoma). Here is some additional information about how to use visual supports https://autismawarenesscentre.com/visual-supports-best-way-use/

Child Care For Working Parents

For families that already have child care in place, contact your child care provider now to discuss how they can assist you with the extended break from school. If you do not have a child care program and now need one, there are ways to begin searching for child care options. Obviously, some restrictions are currently in place due to COVID-19, so child care providers and families will need to make sure that state and national guidelines are being followed as it relates to childcare during this time. Currently Oklahoma Department of Human Services is asking childcare centers to stay open to assure parents who need to work have access to childcare. Child care providers and families must also consider precautions for those who are at higher risk of complications due to COVID-19.
Connect with other parents. If you are a member of a facebook group or attend a support group, start asking other parents if they have recommendations for child care. They may have already paved the road and know of programs that have been successful for other children with ASD.
Many college students are now at home and may also be experiencing limitation in their other employment.
You may also need to begin exploring natural supports if locating a child care program in not successful. Begin with family members and friends that might be able to provide shorter term help. This might mean you need to piece together a plan, but you may have more success. Individuals might be willing to provide a week or several days at a time, but not be willing to commit to the full amount of time your child is out of school.

Finding The Silver Lining

It can be difficult to find the positives in our current situation. After all, none of us planned for or expected this to happen. However, there are some ways to use the extra time we have with our children to connect and engage, and maybe even work on learning a few new skills.

Using motivation and interests

Using a child’s motivation and interests creates opportunities to engage and also to help your child learn new skills. For example, is your child likes dinosaurs, you can read books with your child and work on skills such sounding out new words, identifying objects in the pictures, or answering comprehension questions (Who, what when, where, and why). If your child enjoys certain toys or activities, join them. If your child initially prefers to play alone, just watch and observe while making an occasional comment about what they are doing. As your child becomes more comfortable with you being part of the activity, you can ask questions, model new ways of playing with the toy/activity, and work on other skills based on your child’s current abilities (eg: turn taking, pointing or using words to request, answering questions, tolerating a new way of playing, etc).

Watch videos or use some of the virtual tour options to share your child’s interests . A few options include:

Virtual field trips: https://www.discoveryeducation.com/community/virtual-field-trips

Virtual visits to parks and international museums: https://artsandculture.google.com/?hl=en

Educational videos and games from PBS: www.pbskids.org

List of 30 virtual fieldtrips: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/preview?fbclid=IwAR154p07vUNJWG6cnuZbflF0b8B-ebZmbZA6VRxHELEZLls3WGrkhcGqnwU

Exercise

Taking time to get outside, or get some exercise indoors. Exercise is a great way for all of us to reset, especially when we start to get restless and anxious from extended time at home. Research shows that exercise can help decrease self-stimulatory behaviors, hyperactivity, and aggression. Add some movement time into your daily routine for the benefit of everyone in the house.

Add movement time into your daily routine and take a walk, go to the park, or go outside and play ball. This article has a few other ideas if weather prohibits you from getting outdoors. https://www.healthline.com/health/exercises-for-kids-with-autism

Expanding skills

The extended time at home could also be an opportunity to work on adaptive and life skills that are difficult to fit in to our otherwise busy schedules. Think about your child’s current skill level and one area where you could maybe focus during these next few weeks. Ideas include:

Increased independence with self-care (dressing, brushing teeth, bathing)

Help with chores (picking up their room, putting up the silverware when it is clean, vacuuming, doing laundry)

Expanding life skills (making a simple meal or getting a snack independently, planning a shopping list, counting money)

We will work to continue sending information about resources for you and your family during this time at home. Parents can also be in touch with their child’s therapist and teacher for ideas and supports specific to their child.

Stay safe and healthy!

The Oklahoma Autism Network Team

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