People with autism are uniquely vulnerable to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. With disrupted schedules and access to services, it may be difficult to establish routines and maintain structure within the home environment. Here are some resources to help guide you and your family during these challenging times. If you have any suggestions, please send them to programs @ researchautism.org.
For information on OAR during the COVID-19 pandemic, please read this Message from OAR’s Executive Director.
General Resources
Website | Organization | Level |
https://www.who.int/ | World Health Organization | Global |
http://www.coronavirus.gov | US Government | Federal |
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Federal |
http://www.USA.gov/coronavirus | US Government | Federal |
https://acl.gov/COVID-19 | Administration for Community Living | Federal |
https://www.usa.gov/state-health | US State Websites | State |
Featured: ASD Toolkits
Title | Type | Source | Release Date |
Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times | Comprehensive Toolkit that includes social stories, visual schedules, and resources | School of Education and Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill | March 19, 2020 |
Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Yale’s Guide for Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder | Comprehensive guidebook that includes a collection of helpful, targeted resources for parents | Yale Child Study Center | March 31, 2020 |
Covid-19 Toolkit | Collection of high-quality resources on the topics of mental health, education, routines, and more | Autism Society | Ongoing |
COVID-19 Resources for Families | Collection of high-quality resources on education, anxiety, behavior, and more | Milestones Autism Resources | Ongoing |
COVID-19 Resources | Comprehensive list of resources for families, researchers, and service providers | Autism Science Foundation | Ongoing |
A Self-Advocate’s Guide to COVID-19 | Information on topics such as hospital visits, SSI and SSDI, unemployment benefits, and developmental services. | Green Mountain Self-Advocates | Ongoing |
Virtual Webinar Events
Title | Topics | Source | Release Date |
COVID-19 Virtual Outreach series | Caregiver tips, social narratives, mindfulness, sensory activities, wearing masks, behavior management basics, collaborating with school team | Cincinnati Children’s Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Dept | April 4, 2020 – Ongoing |
COVID-19 and Autism | Sensory issues, anxiety, compliance, self-care, visuals | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | Ongoing |
ARI’s Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic | Talking to kids about disrupted plans; virtual interactions; emotional support; anxiety; exercise; preparing for Back to School | Autism Research Institute | Ongoing |
Families First Online Education Series | Addressing challenging behaviors; promoting daily living skills; building positive play skills and sibling interactions; teaching safety skills | Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders | Ongoing |
Smoothing the Transition Back to School: COVID-Edition | Characteristics of autism that can present challenges when transitioning from summer to school year; strategies to prepare for a new school year | The Autism Society of North Carolina | September 16, 2020 |
Navigating the Challenges of Online Learning and Telehealth Services through Collaboration | Challenges that arise in online learning for autistic individuals; practical strategies to promote positive collaboration between caregivers and professionals | The Autism Society of North Carolina | September 8, 2020 |
Reducing Challenges in Wearing PPE | Masks; hand-washing; social distancing | Autism Science Foundation and Children’s Specialized Hospital | June 30, 2020 |
TEAACH Tips | Visuals; social narratives; building and maintaining routines; resources | UNC TEAACH Program | April 23, 2020 |
Accessing Educational Services During the COVID-19 Crisis | Remote instruction; federal and state guidance; issues surrounding FAPE and compensatory education; educational advocacy. | National Council on Severe Autism | April 14, 2020 |
Anxiety, Autism: Five Prime Suspects – with tips for coping at home during the Coronavirus Outbreak | Factors that contribute to the high levels of anxiety seen in autism; concrete and actionable strategies for parents, teachers, and therapists. | Autism Research Institute | March 23, 2020 |
Health
Title | Type | Source | Release Date |
Video Demo: Handwashing | Video | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | October 17, 2016 |
Autism Little Learners Social Stories | Social Stories | Autism Little Learners | Ongoing |
COVID-19 Social Stories | Social Stories | Autism Society of America | Ongoing |
Videos and Social Stories about Masks and COVID-19 Safety | Resource List | Lucia Claster | November 9, 2020 |
Helping Kids With Autism Get Used to Wearing Face Masks | Article | Children’s National | August 7, 2020 |
Safety Teaching Protocol | Informational Guide | Behavioral Directions, LLC | June 2020 |
Handwashing: Keeping Your Family Healthy | Fact Sheet | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | June 22, 2020 |
COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities | Fact Sheet | Green Mountain Self-Advocates and Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center | March 29, 2020 |
Coronavirus Social Story (Level I) | Social Story | Easter Seals Illinois Autism Partnership | March 2020 |
Coronavirus Social Story (Level II) | Social Story | Carol Gray | March 2020 |
Debbie Fights Coronavirus! | Social Story | Pathfinders for Autism and True Life Comics | March 30, 2020 |
What Is The Coronavirus? | Social Story | The Autism Educator | March 11, 2020 |
How Do I Get Tested For COVID-19? | Social Story | Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center | March 2020 |
Wellness
Education
Activities at Home
Title | Type | Source | Release Date |
Learn to Cook: Accessible Chef Visual Recipes, Resources, and Recipe Creator | Visual Resources | Accessible Chef | Ongoing |
Helping autistic kids cope with the chaos and uncertainty of coronavirus | Perspective Article | Washington Post | March 17, 2020 |
Sensory Scavenger Hunt | Printable Resource | Foundations for Divergent Minds | March 17, 2020 |
Introduction Kids Yoga | Visual Resources | Cosmic Kids Yoga | Ongoing |
Learn to Draw Cartoons For Kids | Visual Resources | Cartooning Club: How to Draw | Ongoing |
Google Arts & Culture Collections | Virtual Museum Tours | Google Arts & Culture | Ongoing |
Financial Support
Title | Type | Source | Release Date |
The Disabled Person’s Guide to Stimulus Checks | Blog | How to Get On Blog | Ongoing |
Financial Assistance After a Disaster | Webpage | USA.gov | |
Protect yourself financially from the impact of the coronavirus | Blog post | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | March 16, 2020 |
Tips for Financial Caregivers During the Coronavirus Pandemic | Blog post | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | March 20, 2020 |
What to Know About Coronavirus and Your Finances | Blog post | Mint.com | March 20, 2020 |
Research
Title | Type | Organization |
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Statistics and Research | Webpage | Our World in Data |
Global Research on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) | Publications Database | World Health Organization |
COVID-19 Databases and Journals | List of Databases and Journals | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Life Journey Through Autism: A Parent’s Guide to Research | Free Guidebook (Paperback, PDF, eBook) | Organization for Autism Research |
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