Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we shared information and resources for autistic individuals, parents, and caregivers on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn platforms, often. Below is a list of some of the resources we highlighted.
FOR CHILDREN
Provide your child with information: Help your child understand what has changed and explain it in a way that works for them.
- Wake County Public School System - Social stories for Special Education Students focus on wearing a face covering, social distancing and hand washing.
- Autism & Covid-19: Teaching the rules in this new norm - Autism Society of NC webinars
- Coronavirus Social Story (via Easter Seals)
- Good Steps to Washing Your Hands- visual support (CDC)
- Learn about the Corona Virus - Coloring Book (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital)
- Don't Share Your Germs: Social Story About Staying Healthy (ASNC)
- Everyone Gets Sick Sometimes: Flu Teaching Story (Autism Speaks)
- Dealing with COVID-19 Resources with Visual Supports for Special Educators, Therapists, and Families of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Provide your child with structure: Try to make a plan for each day.
- What to do when your routine is disrupted (includes self-care tips for parents)
- Tips for working from home with kids during COVID-19
- Working and learning from home during the COVID-19 outbreak
Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents
Provide your child with what is important to them: What does your child really like and what is important to them?
- Six steps to follow the child’s lead
- A parent’s guide to surviving COVID-19: 8 strategies to keep children happy and healthy
FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
- Online ESDM parent-coaching program for parents of young children with ASD
- Talking to children about Coronavirus (CDC)
- Helping Children cope with the Chaos and Uncertainty of Coronavirus (via The Washington Post)
- How to talk to your child with ASD about frightening situations (Autism Speaks)
- Zero to Three: Tips for Families: Coronavirus
- Give an Hour: Talking with your Kids Fact Sheet
- Maintaining your emotional well being
- Seven crucial research findings that can help people deal with COVID-19
- Taking Care of Yourself
FOR ADULTS
- For those seeking mental and behavioral health supports in NC, the NCDHHS released its COVID-19 Community Readiness toolkit that includes resources for a variety of mental health needs, including for parents engaging in online-school, family-based needs, and resources for those within the I/DD community.
- ASA Mental Health Resources with tips related to isolation and anxiety
- ASA National Hotline
- Autism Society of NC COVID-19 Resources
- Mental Health America Self-Help Tools
- SAMHSA: Coping with Stress during Infectious Disease Outbreaks
- Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19
- Supporting Adults with Autism Through Uncertain Times: Companion Guide (via AFIRM)
- In a "One Question, One Minute" mini video, Duke Global Health Institute's Lauren Franz says people with autism have lost resources during the pandemic, especially in low-income communities
- Coronavirus Information Series: “ASD Diagnosis during COVID-19 & Telehealth” with Geri Dawson
- National Council on Severe Autism Resources for Families
- Autism Society of America COVID-19 resources and webinars
- What Should the Autism Community Know about COVID-19 (via Autism Speaks)
- North Carolina Medicaid Division of Health Benefits: Special Bulletin on Temporary Policy Modifications due to COVID-19
- AFIRM COVID-19 Toolkit: Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times (available in different languages)