Struggling to make sense of chaos: how the pandemic has affected life with autism

Children on the autism spectrum thrive on consistency, structure and routine. Helen O'Callaghan looks at how the unpredictable pandemic has affected their development  

Tommy and Margaret Lowndes with their sons Noah, 7, and Elliot, 3 who both have autism. Photograph Moya Nolan

Five of Sharon McCarthy’s six children have autism. Ranging in age from five to 24, the oldest has just qualified as a speech and language therapist.

“He’s phenomenal – it’s because of his own experience with different autism supports across the years,” says Carrigaline-based McCarthy, who lectures on autism-specific courses in Cork College of Commerce and trains companies in autism-centric workplace practices.