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
The Impact of COVID-19 on Families of Children with Developmental Disabilities Autism Intervention Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) researchers are investigating the education and physical health of autistic children and children with other developmental disabilities during COVID. Organization for Autism Research September 29, 2021 and ongoing

 

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
Six Tips for Maintaining a Schedule and Normalcy During the COVID-19 Pandemic Blog post OAR July 15, 2020
How Children With Autism Are Affected by COVID-19 Blog post OAR June 17, 2020
Strategies to Successfully Transition to the “New Normal” Due to Covid-19 Toolkit The Autism Society May 28, 2020
Navigating Telehealth Blog post OAR May 20, 2020
Communication supports for children and adults with complex communication needs during the COVID-19 pandemic Article Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Augmentative and Alternative Communication April 8, 2020
Computer and Internet Safety Resource List STAR Autism Support April 2020
How to Ease Children’s Anxiety About COVID-19 Article National Alliance on Mental Illness March 25, 2020
Working from home: Developing a new routine Blog post Autism Speaks March 25, 2020
Coping with COVID-19: For Self Advocates Blog Post Milestones Autism Resources March 24, 2020
Tips to Help You Manage Anxiety During the COVID-19 Crisis Blog Post Milestones Autism Resources March 24, 2020
Talking to Kids about Coronavirus: ASL & English Resources Resource List American Society for Deaf Children March 24, 2020
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Article Child Mind Institute
Talking to Children About COVID-19 Article National Association of School Psychologists
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19 Factsheet The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Updated March 1, 2020
APA’s Parenting and Caregiving Resources Hub Resource Hub American Psychological Association Ongoing
Occupational Therapy Resources for Therapists, Teachers, and Parents Resource Hub The OT Toolbox Ongoing

 

Education
Title Type Source Release Date
Back to School Guide In the Era of COVID-19 Comprehensive Guidebook American Occupational Therapy Association Summer 2020
Resources that Support Distance Learning: Digital Resources by Content Area Resources List California Dept of Education March 17, 2020
What School Option is Best for My Child? Guide Milestones Autism Resources Ongoing
Improving Accessibility for Remote Learning Environments Article OCALI August 2020
Transitioning Back to School During COVID: Using Visuals and Other Evidence-based Strategies for Children with Autism Article Indiana Resource Center for Autism July 29, 2020
School Leader Voices: Concern and Challenges to Providing Meaningful IDEA-related Services During COVID-19 White Paper National School Boards Association and The School Superintendents Association July 14, 2020
Parents: Supporting Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic Interactive Module The IRIS Center, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University June 2020
Online Education and Autism Blog post OAR April 14, 2020
Distance Learning: 8 Tips to Help Your Child Learn at Home Blog post Understood.org March 17, 2020
Information and Resources for Schools and Personnel Resources List U.S. Dept of Education March 2 – Ongoing
–          Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities Fact Sheet U.S. Dept of Education March 21, 2020
–          Q&A on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak Webpage U.S. Dept of Education March 12, 2020
–          Schools and Childcare Programs: Plan, Prepare, and Respond Webpage U.S. Dept of Education July 24, 2020
–          COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel Webpage U.S. Dept of Education Ongoing

 

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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