Those of us caring for a child with autism have likely felt the impact of COVID-19. Therapy appointments may have been rescheduled or switched to virtual, routines may be upended as work and schools close, and we may worry about how the illness will impact ourselves and our loved ones.
COVID-19 symptoms tend to be milder in children. They may develop a fever, runny nose, or cough. Severe complications in children have been rare, but those with additional health concerns, such as epilepsy, may be more at risk.
Fortunately, social distancing is a powerful tool to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. Social distancing only works when everyone stays home and limits their contact with others.
Some of us have family members or friends who think the threat of the virus is being blown out of proportion. They may pressure you to join in activities as usual or become upset when you cancel plans to help keep yourself and your community safe during this high-risk time.
Here are some tactics that may help you talk to them about why health — yours, theirs, and the community's — should be everyone's first priority right now.
Ask them to walk in your shoes. Ask them to imagine what you must be going through. Maybe your loved one thinks they will be fine, but your child may be more vulnerable to being severely impacted by it. If your doctors have cancelled or modified appointments, share how your medical care is being affected. If your health care provider has recommended any additional precautions you should take, share that as well.
According to research on COVID-19 in China, people who had one additional disease — from diabetes to cardiovascular disease to cancer — had a 79 percent higher risk of requiring intensive care, needing a respirator, or dying as a result of the coronavirus infection.
Six in 10 adults in America have at least one chronic illness.
The threat of COVID-19 was deemed serious enough to affect major institutions:
These organizations are prioritizing public health over the hundreds of millions of dollars (or more) they will lose by closing. If we can stay home, we should stay home.
If you have any other friends or family who are taking the coronavirus threat seriously, ask them to talk to that loved one on your behalf. Social distancing only works if everyone is on board.
As our families, communities, and countries make it through this pandemic together, it's more important than ever to find ways to stay connected. Here are a few suggestions for ways to socialize from a safe distance.
MyAutismTeam is another way our community of 118,000 caregivers stays strong together. Here are a few conversations about how members of MyAutismTeam are getting through this difficult time:
Have you found ways to talk to your loved ones about COVID-19 safety measures? What are you doing to stay connected to others during this time of heightened concern and social distancing? Share in the comments below or post on MyAutismTeam.
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