Coronavirus

Coronavirus Information

• Coronavirus.gov
• Centers for Disease Control
• Centers for Disease Control: ASL Videos on COVID-19
• Symptoms in the nonverbal population (Autism Connection of PA)
• Handwashing for Self-Advocates (ASERT)
• Fighting COVID-19 Misinformation (ASERT)
• COVID Variants and Breakthrough Cases (AID in PA)

Understanding CDC COVID-19 Community Levels

• COVID-19 Community Levels (CDC)
• What do they mean to me?
  • Easy Read (ASAN) (PDF)
  • Plain Language (ASAN) (PDF)

Statwewide Autism Resources

• PA ODP – Coronavirus Information
• ASERT Coronavirus Resources
• ASERT”s Wearing A Mask Social Story
• AID (Autism / Intellectual Disability) in PA – is a resource collabrative between ASERT and ODP to connect everyone with resources that can best serve them in emergency situations. Current resources focus on the ongoing COVID-19 Crisis; However this site can be adapted to other challenges facing the community. Full Video Catalog
• PA Department of Human Services – Coronavirus Information
• PA Department of Health – Coronavirus Information
• PA State Police Coronavirus Related Scams Community Awareness Bulletin

Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times (AFIRM)

• Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times Full Packet (PDF)
• Resources for Adults with Autism for Uncertain Times Full Packet (PDF)

COVID-19 Related Social Stories

• Coronavirus Social Story (Wesley Family Services)
• Adjusting to New Situations (ASERT) [PDF]
  • Related Social Story
• Contract Tracing Social Story (ASERT)
• Getting a Haircut during COVID-19 Social Story (ASERT)
• Getting Tested for COVID-19 Social Story (ASERT)
• Going Back to Work Social Story (ASERT)
• Well-being in Isolation Social Story (ASERT)
  • Daily Well-Being Checklist for Self-Advocates (ASERT) (PDF)
• Dating During a Pandemic (ASERT)

Vaccine Information

• CDC Vaccine Information
• Vaccine Finder
• CDC Vaccine Information for You & Your Family
• Vaccine Recommendations and Guidelines of the ACIP
• COVID-19 Vaccine Social Stories (AID In PA)
• Decision Making for the COVID-19 Vaccine – A Guide for Self-Advocates (ASERT)
• Easy Read Vaccine Information (ASAN, PDF)
• Easy Read Vaccine and Booster Shots Info (ASAN, PDF)

Plain Language

• Fact Sheet – By Green Mountain Self-Advocates
• Important things to know about COVID – Lurie Institute for Disability Polcy
• Supporting Individuals with Autism during uncertain times – UNC Child Development Institiute
• A Self-Advocate’s Guide to COVID-19 (Green Mountain Self-Advocates)
• What You Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine (ASAN)(PDF)
• What You Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Shots (ASAN) (PDF)

Explaining Social Distancing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends social distancing to taper the current pandemic. Here are some resources on social distancing for individuals and professionals. If you need additional resources in understanding this concept, one of the following recommendations may help.

• A Social Story from PA’s ASERT is available here
• There are several simulations available that demonstrate how social distancing works to limit the virus from spreading.  This visual presented helps explain this concept

Other COVID-19 Related Resources

• Wheelchair and Assistive Technology Precautions
• Protecting your technological devices against COVID-19
• Additional Resources at TECH OWL
• Communication supports for children and adults with complex communication needs during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Access COVID Guide (courtesy of health professionals at NYU, PITT, WashU, and the St. Louis Arc)
• Access COVID Symptom Guide (courtesy of health professionals at NYU, PITT, WashU, and the St. Louis Arc)
• Coping with COVID-19: A “For-Now” Normal (from Sesame Street)
• Talking With Childen (SAMHSA) *PDF
• Advocating for My Health During COVID-19 (ASERT)

These next resources are provided by Jewsih Community Federation Services in Pittsburgh, PA

1. Talking with your children about coronavirus
2. Fear of the unknown and calming yourself
3. Meditation: could it be for you?
4. Self-care and watching the news
5. Self-care when someone you love is sick
6. How to Talk to Seniors about COVID-19
7. How to Support Front-Line Workers You Love

Other Mental Health Resources

• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health (PDF)
• 10 Mental health tips for social distancing
• Protecting Your Mental Health During The Coronavirus Outbreak
• What is Trauma Social Story (ASERT)
• Be Well, Think Well Resources (ASERT)
• Dealing With Negative Thoughts and Maintaining Control (AID in PA)
• Dealing With Stress During a Pandemic (Presentation, PCHC)
• Stay Connected to Combat Loneliness and Social Isolation
• How to Protect Your Mental Health During ‘Social Distancing’
• Coronavirus anxiety: Tara Brach on how to use mindfulness in a pandemic
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline – The Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 988

Relaxation and General Coping Resources

• Ashtanga Yoga NY classes on Zoom and Instagram (free/donation)
• Coping skills worksheets and toolkit

Virtual Support Groups

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
• Turn2 Me
• 7 Cups
• In the Rooms
• Sanvello
• IMALIVE
• MHA National

Telehealth Resources

• Telehealth (ASERT)
• How to Prepare for a Video Appointment with Your Health Clinician (PDF)

Other Mental Health Resources

• Gratitude Journal (PDF)

COVID-19 Fatigue and Mental Health

COVID-19 Fatigue Maintaining Mental Health

• UC Davis Health: Done with COVID-19? 9 ways to help cope with COVID fatigue
• Northwestern Medicine: Do You Have COVID-19 Caution Fatigue?

• The New Normal: Strategies to Successfully Transition Your Child/Adult Back to School/Work After the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Social Story: Free Printable About School Closures
• Stages Learning Material: Adapt to Home School
• COVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
• Free Resources for Remote Learning and HomeSchooling Due to COVID-19

Educational-Related Social Stories

• Hybrid Learning Social Story (Autism Society) (PDF)
• In-Person Learning Social Story (Autism Society (PDF)
• Virtual Learner Social Story (Autism Society, PDF)

The sudden change to telework and virtual learning has required many of us to make drastic, unplanned changes to our daily routines.

Schedule Changes

• Use social stories to explain changes to routines and/or social situations (usage of pictures, props, or symbols may be helpful) 
• Allot extra time in your schedule to accommodate changes
• Use time tables, clocks and charts to explain what times schedule changes will occur 
• Make small changes as an initial change, to avoid feeling overwhelmed
• Reward flexibility 
• Create a calm down or decompression routine

Social Stories (Indiana Resource Center for Autism)

• My Schedule will Change Social Narrative
• My Parents and I Are Working from Home
• Parent working at home Visual

Other Resources

• Being Flexible and Starting New Routines (AID in PA)
• Going into the Community (ASERT)
• Finding Activities in the Community (ASERT)
• Changes in the Community (ASERT)

Contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about receiving regularly scheduled medical care