The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all Americans. SafeMinds specifically recognizes the unique needs and challenges of the autism community during this unprecedented time. Our goal is to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on families by regularly monitoring and sharing resources that may help children and adults with autism cope with the uncertainty of the pandemic.
Community Shares | November 25th 2024
- President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education has raised concerns about its potential impact on students with disabilities.
- A recent review highlights a potential link between COVID-19 and the exacerbation or onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, suggesting that the proinflammatory immune response associated with the virus may play a role.
- A new study has revealed significantly lower expression levels of the processed pseudogene Csnk1a1p in children with ASD compared to healthy controls, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker.
- Don’t miss the opportunity to explore groundbreaking research on the effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a common endocrine-disrupting chemical found in plastics, and its potential role in neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD.
Referrals to Early Childhood Intervention Programs Plumet During COVID
New Hampshire Sees 400 Fewer Children Referred to Early Developmental Services Than Previous Year Services and supports available to infants, toddlers and young children who experience developmental delays is called early intervention. These interventions can include different types of therapy including speech, occupational, physical and behavioral. For children under the age of three, these early […]
Nearly Two-Thirds of Parents Report COVID-19 Service Disruptions Worsened ASD Symptoms in Their Children
Over Three-Quarters of Parents Experienced Moderate to Extreme Stress Over Service Interruptions A survey of 3502 parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) conducted by Simons Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) has demonstrated that most individuals on the spectrum experienced significant disruptions to their therapies and programs during last spring’s stay-at-home orders. The […]
Feds Award Millions to Individuals with Disabilities Affected by COVID for Housing
More than Three Dozen States to Receive Funds for Rental Assistance The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be awarding over $130 million through two different housing initiatives for people with disabilities. The first HUD effort provides $86.85 million through funding vouchers to public housing agencies for non-elderly individuals with disabilities who […]
New 24-Hour COVID Support Line for People with Developmental Disabilities
Free Telehealth Line Delivers Support, Guidance and Referrals Project Connect is a recently launched COVID-19 helpline for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers. The support line was developed through a special partnership between the Arc of California and the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare. Staffed by Stony Brook graduate students who are […]
British Survey Finds 128,000 Children at Risk for Delayed Autism Diagnosis Due to COVID
Suspected Cases May Be Undiagnosed or Misdiagnosed as Crucial Services Remain Closed Autism Parenting Magazine recently conducted a data analysis which showed that an estimated 128,160 children with suspected autism are running the risk of not receiving a proper diagnosis due to the continuing COVID-19 lockdowns. The report generated from this troubling analysis points to […]
