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.
Coronavirus Economic Relief for People with Disabilities Becoming More Unlikely
As reported in June, the HEROES Act which aims to provide economic relief to the disability community was passed out of the House of Representatives. Sadly, as predicted, the related coronavirus relief legislation has stalled in the Senate.
COVID-19 Disproportionately Impacting Those With Developmental Disabilities
A letter published recently in the American Journal of Psychiatry on behalf of the directors of the nation’s 13 intellectual and developmental disabilities research centers — which are funded by the National Institutes of Health — is sounding the alarm about the devastating impact the pandemic has had on an already vulnerable population.
Disability Programs in Danger of Closing Due to COVID-19
Data collected in July by the American Network of Community Options and Resources, or ANCOR, showed that 77% of organizations serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have reported shutting down and discontinuing programs due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, 16% of those programs are never expected to reopen again.
Special Needs Caregivers Describe More Negative Effects From Pandemic Versus Non-Caregivers
A new report issued from the National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Family Support at the University of Pittsburgh found that caregivers of individuals with special needs are more likely to experience health and financial difficulties since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh conducted a survey of caregivers from April 15 to May 27 and found that sixty-three percent faced an increase in responsibilities since stay at home orders began.
Participate in Autism Research: ASD COVID-19 Study
The Johnson Center for Child Health and Development is conducting an online, questionnaire based study to address the psychosocial and behavioral impact of COVID-19 on children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study includes questions about the level of supports and services your child received at the beginning of 2020 and compares with the time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Disability Community Balks at Senate Republican’s HEALS Act
On July 27, Senate Republicans introduced components of the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act. Their $1 trillion proposal aims to provide additional coronavirus economic relief for Americans beyond the assistance provided by last March’s CARES Act, which unfortunately, did not include disabled adults in its stimulus payments.
