Alright – so, 2020 has been a bad-ass year for everyone in the whole world. No one could’ve imagined a pandemic that would rock all of us to our core in unimaginable ways. 2020 has been hard for all of us, but especially kids and adults with autism. Social communication and social skills are core deficits for individuals with autism. We (parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists, etc.) work hard teaching social skills and social communication to autistic individuals. Then with Carona, that was out the window, social distancing and masks became the norm.
Look me in the eye, say what I say, do what I do, give a hug, smile, touch blue, touch car, etc. and etc. were skills our kids needed and were taught. 2020 made all of these impossible. I remember it took months to teach my son to look people in the eye or give a hug. Now all of the sudden, we had to say no hugs, don’t get close and how do you even teach verbal imitation when your mouth is covered with a mask. How do you teach any skill to an autistic kid through a computer or online. It is impossible.
2020 has been specially difficult for autism families because it demanded the opposite of everything we worked so hard to achieve.
So, like a bad politician; I say to 2020 – goodbye and good riddance. May 2021 be a year full of happiness, health and prosperity for autistic children and their families.
Above words do not reflect any candidate, agency or committee
Idil – Somali Autism Mom