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This year, Loneliness Awareness Week focuses on “Random Acts of Connection” and aims to empower people to make everyday moments of connection, which can be as simple as having a chat while waiting in a queue, smiling at a neighbour or reaching out to a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while. People are also being encouraged to sign up to a new activity or event they haven’t tried before.
Most of us will have felt lonely at some point in our lives, we all need a certain level of social interaction and loneliness is a sign that we need more. However, everyone’s experiences of loneliness are different, some people may need more social interaction than others, making this very subjective and personal to each of us.
Loneliness can be misinterpreted as “being on your own”, some people choose to be alone and can lead happy and fulfilling lives without the need for a considerable amount of social interaction, whereas others can be surrounded by people and feel lonely. You can also feel lonely if you aren’t being acknowledged or understood by those around you.
Loneliness in Disabled and Autistic People and Children
According to a mental health survey conducted by the National Autistic Society and Mind, research suggests that eight times as many autistic people report feeling often or always lonely when compared to the general population and the lonelier a person reported feeling, the more likely they were to experience greater anxiety and more severe depression. Higher rates of anxiety and depression in autistic people have been associated with lower life satisfaction, greater social difficulties, loneliness and insomnia. [1]
Often children with neurodevelopmental disabilities feel excluded and can experience more loneliness than their typically developing peers. Research suggests compared to typically developing children, children with autism were lonelier and had less complete understandings of loneliness. [2]
Loneliness in Parents/Carers of Disabled and Autistic children
Loneliness is also commonly reported by parents of disabled children and even before lockdown and covid occurred, 72% of families with disabled children experienced mental health problems such as anxiety, depression or breakdown due to loneliness and isolation.
Parents and carers also reported losing friends who don’t understand their life or their child’s needs.
Society Needs to Change
Societal change is needed, including acceptance of disabled and autistic people and children. We need to be more understanding of people’s differences and welcome creating a more inclusive world for everyone. Education around disability and autism is paramount, so in the future we can reduce social exclusion.
What can you do to help your child?
Firstly, it is important to note that every child is different and has individual needs, so what works for one child might not necessarily work for your child, you may need to try out a few techniques before you find what helps your child.
- Try to get your child talking/communicating about their feelings with a person they trust. Regular chats can help to combat loneliness. Caudwell Children can support you and your family with signposting information and relevant tips to help your child. Contact our Family Support team for further information on 0345 300 1348, via Live Chat or email familyservices@caudwellchildren.com
- Find local groups or events for your child to attend where children have similar needs and interests. Connecting with like-minded people is a great way to help with loneliness. Caudwell Children hosts Short Breaks where children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities living in Staffordshire and Cheshire East are given the opportunity to discover new interests, try out different activities and make new friends in a safe and welcoming environment. For more information about Short Breaks, please click here or email breaks@caudwellchildren.com. Remember to allow your child to socialise on their own terms.
- Make sure you set aside enough time for your child to do things they enjoy. Spending time outdoors in green spaces is a great way to boost your child’s mood. Also, if your child has sensory processing needs, creating a designated sensory area can help your child to self-regulate if they become overwhelmed, helping them to feel calmer and safer.
- Caudwell Children delivers a range of practical and accessible workshops for families who are raising a disabled and/or autistic child. These focus on some of the key difficulties families experience and what steps they can take to support their child. Workshops include Language and Communication, Forming Relationships, Daily Living Skills and Autism and Wellbeing.
Remember if you have any serious concerns about your child’s mental health, always contact their GP.
References:
[1] Bauminger, N., & Kasari, C. (2000). Loneliness and Friendship in High‐Functioning Children with Autism. Child Development, 71(2), 447–456. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00156
[2] www.autism.org.uk. (2021). Good practice guide for mental health professionals. In Good practice guide. https://s2.chorus-mk.thirdlight.com/file/24/asDKIN9as.klK7easFDsalAzTC/NAS-Good-Practice-Guide-A4.pdf