Resources for parents, self-advocates and support staff
during COVID-19
Experts at the UC Davis MIND Institute have put together a Q&A document and participated in two Facebook Lives to help reduce stress in families with kids with autism and to provide strategies to cope during COVID-19 shelter-in-place times.
Sally Rogers and Aubyn Stahmer from the MIND have developed a great resource for families with young kids with symptoms of or diagnosed on the autism spectrum, as well as for early-intervention providers. The "Help is in Your Hands" is a free website with 16 web-based video modules to help parents add simple intervention practices to their everyday routines at home. It also offers several webinars for providers on coaching parents to support their young children with autism or with social communication problems.
The UC Davis Campus Recreation has put together a list of links that cover topics like how to work from home, at-home workouts, managing your free time and more. The list also includes important resources for kids and families to stay active and healthy.
UC Davis Health also provides a comprehensive COVID-19 information and resources page.
The Autism Focused Intervention and Resource Modules (AFIRM) have developed an online curriculum and set of resources for caregivers called Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times.
Disability Rights of California provides comprehensive information on disability related services during the coronavirus. This includes information regarding regional centers, special educations, Medi-Cal, and IHSS right for families and self-advocates.
The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center has a plain language guide to COVID-19 in English and Spanish.
Social stories or social narratives are a useful tool when trying to explain changes in routines and concepts that may be difficult to understand, such as "pandemics" and "social distancing".
Here are a few examples that are available online.
- UC Davis MIND Institute masking story: Check the social story on children wearing masks and watch the informational video on masking for kids as they prepare to visit the MIND Institute or going out.
- NPR COVID-19: NPR posted a comic-based social story with illustrations (also available in Chinese).
- Gray Pandemic Social Story: Carol Gray has a pre-developed social story about pandemics.
- Out of School Social Story: A social story about the coronavirus being out of school, and what to do if you are sick using cartoon images.
General Resources
- The American Psychological Association (APA) provides information on social distancing and maintaining mental health.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares information on managing stress and anxiety during COVID-19.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) provides many resources including general advice to the public on COVID-19.
- (SAMHSA), provides a guide on Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation during an Infectious Disease Outbreak.
Open Lines to Help
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster 1-800-985-5990
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233.
Recursos en Español
Que deben saber los adultos y las personas con discapacidad?
Este contine informacion basica sobre covid19.
- Hable con sus hijos sobre el COVID-19. contine informacion acerca de como hablar y explicarle a los hijos la situacion actual.
- Carol Gray tiene una historia social desarrollada previamente sobre pandemias.
- Addicionales con informacion basica acerca del COVID-19, actividades para entretener los ninos en casa
- Ofrece información para padres y cuidadores sobre los brotes de enfermedades infecciosas en su comunidad. Conocer la información más importante sobre el brote y aprender a estar preparados disminuye el estrés y ayuda a aminorar las inquietudes probables. Este recurso ayudará a padres y cuidadores a tomar en consideración cómo un brote de enfermedad infecciosa podría afectar a su familia, tanto física como emocionalmente, y lo que pueden hacer para ayudarla a afrontar esta situación.
The websites listed are independent of the UC Davis MIND Institute and Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (CEDD). Resources are provided for information only and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of the UC Davis MIND Institute and Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.