The autism community faces extraordinary challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, and we are here to help. We know how important it is to get reliable and trustworthy information in this time of uncertainty. Below is a list of resources that we have vetted that may be helpful for you or your family during this outbreak.
New Social Stories from Autism Society of America
Webinars
 

 

Special Ed while staying Safer at Home with attorney Jeff Spitzer-Resnick
video
powerpoint
General information

Coronavirus: Response & Resources from the Autism Society: https://www.autism-society.org/covid-19/

What is Your Plan? Worksheet to make a plan in case you get infected https://cdn.talentlms.com/respitecarewi/1585854694_What%20is%20Your%20Plan_%20Worksheet.pdf

Respite Care WI Finding Your New Normal during COVID-19 Resources, tips and tricks for caregivers and providers. Note: Once you are on their website you will need to click the “Try for free” button to access the resources. The Title Page tab has a list of  resources by category and the Shared Files tab has all the pdf’s/ downloadable files.  https://respitecarewi.talentlms.com/catalog/info/id:143

WI Southern Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs COVID-19 Resources: https://cyshcn.waisman.wisc.edu/

WI Department of Health Services:      https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/index.htm

Well Badger Resources https://www.wellbadger.org/s/covid-19-assistance?language=en_US

Resources for Families to Support Learning from Home During COVID-19

Online Teaching Resources for Children and Families from Wide Open School (you can select that you are a family and find resources in a number of categories including Special Needs)

Balancing Complex Care Giving and Educating Children from Complex Child

Working and Learning from Home from the American Academy of Pediatricians

Tips for Families in Supporting Their Children with Disabilities in Virtual Formats (English and Spanish) from the Florida Inclusion Network. http://www.floridainclusionnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Parent-Virtual-Tips-SWD-Final-03.24.20.pdf

Florida Inclusion Network also is offering a recording of a Paula Kluth webinar on “5 Way to Support Students with Special Needs”. This is free to access through April. https://www.floridainclusionnetwork.com/whats-new/

Social Stories about COVID-19

Why is Everything so Weird? social story about the feelings we have about social distancing https://neurodiversitylibrary.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/why-is-everything-so-weird_-1.pdf

Kids printable comic from NPR about the virus: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus

Social stories and AAC resources: https://www.smore.com/udqm2-covid-19-preparedness

Plain language information for adults with disabilities: https://cyshcn.waisman.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/2020/03/Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf

Don’t Share Your Germs! A Social Story About Staying Healthy https://www.autismsociety-nc.org/wp-content/uploads/Germs-Social-Story.pdf

Steps to washing your hands from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/wash-your-hands-steps-8×11.pdf

How to see how germs spread YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5-dI74zxPg&feature=emb_share&fbclid=IwAR1M7CZyrWeoHXzYYL4HBFHoLGXc4SvLA7vYir34RrpHlfp5KjC0Im_tIAc

YouTube video from self-advocates in Wisconsin about coronavirus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7Yl-BesvDw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR06XcfFtfR0_nkp8Hl9PUd7ST-4RP5P-HdDVKWSGrOR8-toQM_IPVF4Pww

Financial Resources

Tenant Resource Center https://www.tenantresourcecenter.org/

United Way 211 or 877-947-2211 https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/

Covid-19 financial resources from UW Extension https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/toughtimes/covid-19-financial-resources/

Mental Health Resources

Anxiety and Autism- CoP ASD/DD Anxiety and Autism is available at   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ5zpWuJxlbjZLw595ST9ig

Special Needs Parenting in the age of pandemic https://medium.com/@sean_40537/special-needs-parenting-in-the-age-of-pandemic-e0c9320c5a58

Care for your Coronavirus anxiety                https://www.virusanxiety.com/

Virtual Calming Room https://district196org.finalsite.com/about/calm-room

Peaceful, nature-rich sound recordings: https://www.audubon.org/news/immerse-yourself-these-peaceful-nature-rich-sound-recordings

Talking to kids about the coronavirus

From the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/talking-with-children.html

From Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

Resources in Spanish/en español

Camp Kinda Here’s a free, virtual summer camp experience designed to keep kids engaged, asking questions, and having fun even while they’re stuck at home. “Open” each weekday starting June 1 to September 1. On any given day, kids may be exploring the art of graphic novels, unlocking the mysteries of history, or jumping into the world’s craziest sports. Also available in Spanish.

Plain language information for disabled adults in Spanish/Información de COVID-19 Por y Para Personas con Discapacidades: https://cyshcn.waisman.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/140/2020/03/Spanish-Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf

Coronavirus: Why do I need to stay at home?/ Coronavirus ¿Por qué debo quedarme en casa? https://www.autismlittlelearners.com/2020/03/free-coronavirus-social-narrative-for.html

Wisconsin Literacy covid-19 resources in plain language in English, Spanish, and other languages including the Wisconsin Safer at Home order in plain language in English and Spanish https://wisconsinliteracy.org/resources/health-resources.html

Education Resources

Information from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/2019-novel-coronavirus

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Special Ed Helpline 608-266-1781

Brainpop – free access while the schools are closed https://www.brainpop.com/

The Kid Should See This smart videos for curious minds of all ages https://thekidshouldseethis.com/

Henry Vilas Zoo livestream zookeeper chats https://www.facebook.com/HenryVilasZoo/

Podcasts for kids: https://www.wired.com/story/best-podcasts-for-kids/

NCFL’s guide to 30 Days of Families Learning Together provides a month’s worth of family literacy activities and practices designed to inspire family memories rooted in imagining, playing, and learning together http://30days.familieslearning.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/NCFL30Days.pdf

Fun Hands-On Learning to do at Home (broken down by grade check out wherever your child is at). https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/home-activities/