4 Ways in which the pandemic has affected the Square Peg

This global pandemic has taken it’s toll on absolutely everybody, including the Square Peg. These are 4 ways in which the pandemic has affected him.

1. School disruption

Handling school disruption is challenging for any child let alone an autistic child. Edward has never been particularly bothered by routines and has just been happy to go with the flow. See my earlier post about this To Routine, or not to routine.

However, the continual disruption has taken it’s toll on him and I think it’s playing out in his behaviours at the moment. He is eating less and less and is becoming much more defiant. He runs off and throws himself around much more than he used to.

2. No face to face appointments

It has been difficult only having appointments via phone calls. Despite being able to talk to someone, it really isn’t the same as speaking face to face.

Recently we were able to have a face to face appointment with the paediatrician and it was brilliant. I had been feeling stressed beforehand because of Edward’s diet and behaviours. They weighed and measured him and I was reassured that he is growing fine and is on the 50th Centile so I was able to relax a bit.

3. Interaction with friends and family.

Obviously this has been limited because of the pandemic and again it has affected Edward. He absolutely loves his Granny and Grandad. Every time we FaceTimed them, he would ask them if they were coming to our house at Christmas. We all know what happened to Christmas 2020…..so still in April, Edward was asking them if they would come to our house for Christmas.

4. More time at home.

This has actually been a positive for Edward. Edward is very happy being in the house. His favourite things to do are to build little Lego spaceships/tanks etc or cuddle up on the sofa wrapped up in his blankets.

It has been good for him to relax more at home. When he does have activities going on he becomes overwhelmed so it has been nice to not have that pressure.