Lockdown and your special needs child
While the lockdown may in theory feel like an extended holiday for the family, to a special needs child it is not as simple in practice. An occupational therapist offers valuable guidelines for parents.
POLOKWANE – Parents who have children with special needs know how important the predictability of a fixed routine is. Even though the lockdown might, in theory, sound like just another school holiday, in practice it is not that simple.
Occupational therapist, Marietjie Strydom, explains how parents can assist their special children during the lockdown.
“It will take time to establish and maintain a routine, but once this is done, it will become invaluable for your child. All the usual daily tasks should be included in your routine, including getting up, getting dressed, brushing hair, meals, stimulation work or school work, playtime, leisure time, bath time and so on.”
Strydom also advises that routines can be made more practical to the child when it is presented visually. “Use colourful routines charts. This will help them adjust more easily once life goes back to normal after the lockdown.”
Establishing a routine will also make parents feel more in control, since feelings of being overwhelmed might set in at some point. “Routine creates security for the child, as he or she knows what to expect so anxiety can be reduced. This predictability will also leave the parent feeling more in control.”
Therapy should remain part of the child’s routine, albeit not in the same way therapy was done prior to the lockdown.
“Therapists have obtained approval from the HPSCSA to conduct telehealth sessions. The therapist prepares the parent or caregiver for the session and uses what the parent has available in the home for the session. During the video call, the therapist guides the parent in terms of what should be done. Although it will not replace a traditional therapy session, it is an excellent outcome at this time.”
Strydom offers these guidelines:
- Exercise releases the feel-good hormone for child and parent. Do it together. Walk around the house, walk in one place, put on a dance video and dance together. Vestibular stimulation such as swing or cradle daily is calming, and deep pressure is also calming.
- Environmental factors influence children’s behaviour. Soothing external stimulation is important, for example, soft music. A loud blaring television or radio can overburden a child. Soft lights, instead of bright lights. Reduce visual stimulation late afternoon and evening, close curtains, turn off the television.
- If possible, take a few minutes of the day to take care of yourself. If your child may have his screen time and get stuck in front of the television, call a friend or take a long bath. Once again, a therapist can also assist you by telephone on a video call. Seek help for yourself.
- As far as possible, try to keep your child’s diet sugar-free. Look carefully what the hidden sugars are in obvious healthy foods such as yoghurt and biscuits. Preservatives, colouring agents, refined carbohydrates and sugar can impair behaviour, such as making a child hyperactive or irritated, more sensitive and so on.
Lastly, Strydom discourages too much screen time for special needs children.
“This may negatively affect your child’s behaviour. Parents should limit it by slotting it into the daily routine so that the child understands there is a time and place for screen time.”
Visit Marietjie’s Facebook page for more tips on a routine for your special needs child: Marietjie Strydom Occupational Therapists/Arbeidsterapeute.
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