Most states continue their stay at home orders
Updated August 10, 2020
The majority of American families have been at home for weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At present time, there is no definitive end date for these orders. Signs point to individual states using a slow roll technique in order to re-open, which means a large number of autism families will continue to be at home for an indeterminate amount of time. In order to support special needs families during this challenging time, SafeMinds has assembled a comprehensive list of resources to make life at home more manageable. These resources have been broken down into different categories. Most categories include several links, giving many options to see what works best for your special needs family member.
Information on the COVID-19 Outbreak for Autism Families
What should the autism community know about the coronavirus outbreak
Information from Autism Speaks
COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities
Clear, concise information for people with special needs from SARTAC
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety Guide
Support in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian & Arabic from ASERT
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 People with Disabilities
CDC information for the special needs community
World Health Organization’s Disability considerations during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Downloadable pamphlet from the World Health Organization
Debbie Fights Coronavirus Comic Book
Visual storybook for students on the spectrum
Coronavirus disease 2019
Information for adults with autism from ACL
3L Place Coronavirus Update
Easy to understand information for people with disabilities from 3L Place
Coping & Calming Strategies
Coronavirus Impact: Talking to Kids About Changing Schedules, Altered Plans, and Disruption
Autism Research Institute Webinar
Support for Individuals with ASD: Coping with Family and Virtual Interactions During COVID-19
Autism Research Institute Webinar
Emotional Support for Families during COVID-19
Autism Research Institute Webinar
How to cope with disrupted family routines during COVID-19
Helpful tips from Autism Speaks
Top 10 Ways to Care for Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Information from Autism Society Minnesota
How To Stay Calm When Hard Times In Society Strike
Calming charts and materials from 3L Place
Top Ways to Reduce an Autistic Child’s Anxieties During the Coronavirus Pandemic
List from Autism Parenting Magazine
Managing the Emotional Impact Quarantine Has on Autism Families
Suggestions from Autism Parenting Magazine
Supporting Autistic Children During a Pandemic
Article from Long Island Weekly
How Do I Manage the Coronavirus Scare as a Parent of a Child with Autism?
Advice from Autism Parenting Magazine
Anxiety, Autism: Five Prime Suspects—with tips for coping at home during the Coronavirus Outbreak
Autism Research Institute Webinar
Coping with Coronavirus: Support for the Autism Community
Message from the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health
Coronavirus Impact—Home All Day—Basic Support and Strategies to Get Us Through and Keep Us Sane
Autism Research Institute Webinar
How To Talk About COVID-19 With People Who Have Autism
National Public Radio Podcast
UM-NSU CARD’S Let’s Talk About the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Whiteboard Social Narrative Video
University of Miami video presentation
Single Parenting During the Coronavirus Crisis
Strategies from the Child Mind Institute
Tool Kits, Guides & Social Stories
I Can Wear a Mask
Downloadable Social Story available in English and Spanish from the Autism Research Institute
Social Distancing
Downloadable Social Story available in English and Spanish from the Autism Research Institute
When Can I Go Back to School?
Downloadable Social Story available in English and Spanish from the Autism Research Institute
Feeling Sick
Downloadable Social Story available in English and Spanish from the Autism Research Institute
I Can Not Touch My Face
Downloadable Social Story available in English and Spanish from the Autism Research Institute
Handwashing
Downloadable Social Story available in English and Spanish from the Autism Research Institute
Resources for Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder During COVID-19
22 page resource guide from the University of Houston’s School Psychology Autism Research Collaboration
Autism Society of Minnesota Pandemic Guide
Detailed guide from Autism Society of Minnesota
Coronavirus and Students with Autism
Helpful information from The Autism Community in Action
Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
60 page toolkit from UNC
COVID-19 Tool Kit by Topic
Resources from the Autism Society of America
Social Distancing Support
Teaching COVID-19 Skills Guidance for parents from Autism Spectrum Therapies
How to handle clinical care during social distancing and school/program closures
Information from Autism Speaks (also available in Spanish)
Supporting Kids With Autism During the Pandemic and Required Social Distancing
Suggestions from Autism Parenting Magazine
Education & Home Program Support
Preparing for Back-to-School During COVID-19
Autism Research Institute Webinar
Distance Learning & the COVID-19 Crisis: How to Advocate for IEP Supports & Services Webinar by My Special Needs Connection
Online Resources for Children on the Spectrum List from Chronogram in New York State
Public School Legal Obligations During the COVID-19 Closures from California Special Education Attorney, Timothy A. Adams
COVID Q & A Information from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Tips for Speech Therapy at Home for Children with Autism
Guidance and activities for speech programs at home
ECHO Autism Special Edition: Partnering with Families
UC Davis MIND Institute YouTube presentation
How Can I Work on Skills With a Child With Autism During the Coronavirus Crisis
Advice from Autism Parenting Magazine
Health & Hospitalization Support
Home All Day: Exercise During Covid-19
Webinar from ARI featuring exercise tips (May 20th)
COVID 19 and ASD for First Responders and Medical Staff
Video from POAC New Jersey to help medical staff understand ASD in time of COVID 19
Telehealth Services for Children and Teens
Remote access to clinicians for health issues
My child needs to be admitted to the hospital. How can I help them cope with an inpatient stay? How can I explain their needs to the staff?
Medical advocacy information from Autism Speaks
COVID-19 Communication Rights Tool Kit
Health care advocacy information from Communication First
Rights Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Public School’s Legal Obligations During COVID-19 Closures
Special Education Law Article by Adam’s & Associates
Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students COVID-19 Policy Changes
Office of Civil Rights Coronavirus Fact Sheet
What You Should Know About COVID-19 and ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and other EEO Laws
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Fact Sheet
Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
Department of Education’s IDEA Q & A Sheet
Office of Civil Rights Short Webinar on Online Education and Website Accessibility Emotional Support for Families during COVID-19
Office of Civil Rights Education Webinar
Other Comprehensive Resource Lists
Online Resources for Children on the Spectrum
List from Chronogram in New York State
COVID-19 Resources for Families
National Autism Association’s list of resources
Center for Autism Research & Treatment COVID-19 information
Thorough list from UCLA
Coronavirus Resources
Information from the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
Reference
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher. Rollout: Here’s When States Are Due To Lift Stay-At-Home Orders. Forbes. April 12, 2020.
