How to Care for a Sick Autistic Child: A Personal Journey
When your child is sick, it can feel like the world slows down – and not in a good way.
Their needs seem bigger, their cries louder, and your worries heavier.
For parents of autistic children, those challenges can feel even more overwhelming. Whether it is sensory sensitivities, communication barriers, or emotional outbursts, everything seems amplified when illness hits.
As a parent of an autistic child, I have learned that it takes a lot of patience, creativity, and flexibility to care for them during these times.
Let me share how I navigate these moments with my autistic child and hopefully help you feel a little more prepared the next time you face a similar situation. Or even if you are going through this right now!
Further Reading,
The book, Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Dr. Devon Price helps parents of autistic children better understand how autistic individuals perceive and respond to the world. This is especially relevant when caring for a sick autistic child, as sensory sensitivities and communication differences can intensify during illness.
The book also emphasizes the importance of honoring neuro-diverse experiences, which can guide parents in tailoring their approach to care giving.
For example, insights into sensory processing issues and emotional regulation from the book can help parents manage situations like administering medicine, ensuring comfort, or understanding non verbal cues of distress.
This understanding fosters a more empathetic, patient, and effective care-giving approach for sick autistic children.
Why It Is Tougher When an Autistic Child Is Sick
Being sick is never fun.
For kids, it is particularly hard because they do not always understand what is happening to their bodies. Now imagine how much harder it is for an autistic child.
Autistic children often struggle with change and unpredictability, two things that illness brings in abundance.
Add sensory sensitivities to the mix, and something as simple as a fever or a runny nose can feel overwhelming to them.
My sick autistic child becomes extra clingy and emotional. Their usual routines go out the window, and it is my job to help them feel as comfortable and secure as possible.
Step 1: Handling Temperature Checks Without Drama
Taking your sick autistic child’s temperature might seem like a small task, but for us, it is often a major ordeal. The feel of the thermometer, the beeping sound, and even the idea of sitting still can trigger resistance.
What helps is turning it into something they can understand and engage with.
My child loves numbers, so I show them the thermometer and explain what the “healthy” range is. I let them see me take my own temperature first.
It is all about showing them that the process is safe and even a little interesting.
If your child struggles with the sensation of a thermometer, try different types.
Forehead thermometers are quick and non-invasive, while ear thermometers can be faster for squirmy kids.
Whatever you choose, be patient and give them time to adjust. If all else fails, try to catch their temperature while they are asleep – sometimes, that is the easiest way.
Step 2: Giving Medicine: A Battle of Wills
If you have ever tried to give a sick autistic child medicine, you know it is not easy.
For autistic children, the challenge can be great. Many struggle with the taste, texture, or even the idea of swallowing something they do not want.
I have learned to explain the “why” behind medicine in very simple terms. “This will help your body feel better,” or “This will help your fever go away.”
For younger kids, it might not click right away, but repetition helps.
Here are some strategies that work for us:
- Liquid Medicine: Use a syringe instead of a spoon – it is faster, less messy, and easier to aim.
- Suppositories: For younger kids, this can be a lifesaver. It is quick, effective, and avoids the sensory issues that come with swallowing.
- Bribes and Rewards: Sometimes, offering a favorite treat or a sticker as a reward can make the process a bit smoother.
If your child is older, they might handle tablets better than liquids.
My sick autistic child, for example, hates the sticky texture of liquid paracetamol but has gradually gotten used to chew-able tablets.
Whatever method you choose, be prepared for trial and error.
YIKES!
Step 3: Food and Fluids: Keeping It Simple
When I care for my sick autistic child, they often lose their appetite.
For autistic kids, who might already have strong food preferences – like my autistic child – this can make meals a real struggle.
My approach is to keep it simple and not stress too much about what they eat as long as they are getting some nutrition.
- Soups: Lentil or vegetable soups are my go to. They are warm, nutritious, and easy to blend into a smooth texture if your child struggles with chunks or lumps.
- Comfort Foods: Sometimes, plain rice, mashed potatoes, or even fries are all they will eat – and that is okay. The goal is to keep their energy up, not to win a nutrition award.
- Fluids First: If food is not happening, focus on hydration. Water, diluted juices, or electrolyte drinks can do wonders for keeping their energy levels stable.
Remember, this is not the time to introduce new foods or push for a balanced meal. Follow their lead and focus on what they’re willing to eat.
Step 4: Sleep: The Ultimate Healer
If there is one thing every sick child needs, it is sleep.
For sick autistic kids, though, getting them to rest can be tricky. Changes in their routine or discomfort from their symptoms can make it hard for them to settle down.
Here is what I do:
- Create a Calm Environment: Dim the lights, lower the noise, and make their bed or couch as cozy as possible.
- Adjust the Temperature: If they are running a fever, keep the room cool. If they are feeling chilly, add extra blankets.
- Let Go of Routine: On sick days, I let my child nap whenever they need to, even if it is not their usual schedule. Their body needs the rest to heal.
Sometimes, my child will only sleep if I am nearby. On those nights, I bring a book or my laptop into their room and stay with them until they are fully relaxed.
Tips for a sleepy sick autistic child,
Give them some peace and quiet.
Place them in a comfortable place like a resting bed or a sofa.
Change their bed sheets so it feels nicer to lay in bed.
Be Prepared for Accidents
One thing I have learned the hard way is to be ready for accidents with your sick autistic child.
Whether it is wetting the bed or a sudden need for the bathroom, these things happen when kids are unwell.
Keep extra sheets, towels, and cleaning supplies handy, and try not to make a big deal out of it.
Step 5: Comfort and Connection
Sick days are tough for sick autistic children, but they are also an opportunity to show them just how loved and supported they are.
For my autistic child, this means extra cuddles, more screen time, and plenty of their favorite snacks.
If they are up for it, I let them pick a favorite movie or activity.
Sometimes, just sitting with them while they play on their tablet or watch a show can make a big difference. These small acts of connection help them feel safe and cared for, even when their body is not cooperating.
Let them do what they love.
I truly believe that the foods we love and adore and crave are some of the stuff our body can keep down.
So. I always try to make sure to give my sick autistic child that!
And give them lots of love and lots of hugs and kisses.
Kids can get extra crabby and needy and moody. Every time they are sick.
Bear with it and be patient.
Be really patient with your sick autistic child.
Bonus Tip:
You can also distract your sick autistic child by turning it into a learning moment
When my sick autistic child is feeling a little better, I like to explain what is happening in their body.
I keep it simple: “Your body is fighting off germs, and the medicine, food, and sleep are helping it win.”
For an autistic child who loves facts and stories, this can make the whole experience less scary and more interesting.
My sick autistic child enjoys playing some fun calm sensory games when they are recovering from their sickness. I have actually written a post on what I have found to be the best sensory toys for my autistic child.
You can read that post by clicking on the link here.
Final Thoughts
Caring for a sick autistic child is no small task, but it is also an opportunity to deepen your bond.
Every hug, every soothing word, and every small victory – like successfully taking medicine – shows them that they are loved and supported.
Remember, you are not alone in this. You are doing your best, and that is enough. Hang in there – you have got this!