I am starting this petition as it is very close to my heart. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus we have had to go into lockdown to help safe lives. Even though this causes us to be away from our loved ones such as friends and family. For me being away from my sister has been the hardest in many ways and this is why. My sister Joanna is 26 years old and has a diagnosis of severe autism. She is non verbal and is classed on the lower functioning side of autism. This means she does not have the capacity to understand the life that is going on around her. Joanna depends on routine, The same familiar faces, the same structure, and the same activities on the same days. Joanna currently lives in a supported living home where she is able to be supported by carers 24 hours a day due to her complex needs. Joanna depends on seeing myself my mum and dad every weekend and this is part of her routine. This has not been able to happen for Joanna since the pandemic. For someone like Joanna not to be able to see her family and not have her normal routine is crucial and will have a significant effect on her mental health. She does not have the capacity to understand what coronavirus is as many others in the U.K., so why should they suffer? Those who don’t have the capacity to understand always get missed and it’s the ignorance of those who don’t understand autism and the effect it has on those who have it which is why they never get thought about. This needs to change, laws need to be relaxed for those who don’t have the capacity to understand and to try and make their lives back to routine and structure as possible. They need structure in order to get by in life, it’s hard enough that they have to struggle with the complex issues of having Autism and not being able to communicate effectively their own thoughts and feelings and now they have to be told in the best possible way that they cannot continue with their daily lifestyle. The guilt that families are feeling about loved ones who are living in residential or supported living homes is beyond heartbreaking as they cannot see them due to being in another household. As personal experience the guilt I feel that my sister thinks I don’t love her because I haven’t seen her is horrible. And nobody seems to recognise that so many families in the U.K. are dealing with this. You get the whole ‘why don’t you just social distance’ well try explaining to someone with autism what social distancing is? It’s not that easy. And it won’t work. Also try going to see them and telling them that the cafe we always go to on a Saturday isn’t open cause of coronavirus, sorry but they will just not understand and there is nothing out there to help support this. This seriously needs to be looked into and there needs to be more support for vulnerable children, young people and adults with autism and special needs during this global pandemic. Please sign the petition and get this to parliament! 
thank you