COVID-19: Resources and Updates

For Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

About COVID-19

• Coronavirus Social Story
  An online flip book explaining Coronavirus in plain language from The Autism Partnership of Easterseals Chicago.
• Dealing with COVID-19
  Curated resources for those working with individuals who have developmental disabilities
• Anxiety, Autism: Five Prime Suspects – with tips for coping at home during the Coronavirus oubreak
  From the Autism Research Institute
• Green Mountain Self-advocates for individuals with ID/DD | Spanish
  This resource is an 8-page booklet about the Coronavirus written in plain language. It was created by and for people with developmental disabilities.
• How to talk to your child with ASD about frightening situations
  From Autism Speaks
• What Should the Autism Community Know about COVID-19
  From Autism Speaks
• Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
• From Autism Focused Intervention Resources
• COVID-19 Resource Toolkit
  From Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

Hand Washing and other Precautions

• Don’t Share Your Germs: Social Story About Staying Healthy
  From the Autism Society of North Carolina
• Good Steps to Washing Your Hands-visual support
  From the CDC
• Everyone Gets Sick Sometimes: Flu Teaching Story
  From Autism Speaks
• Infection Control for Individuals with IDD
  A video from the Developmental Disabilities Coalition

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Resources for Families, Caregivers and Providers

• Finding Your NEW NORMAL during COVID-19
  Free online training for caregivers and providers
• How to Ease Children’s Anxiety About COVID-19
  From NAMI – The National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
• Coping After a Disaster
  A Ready Wrigley activity book for children age 3-10
• Preparing for Emergencies
  From Family Voices of Wisconsin
• COVID-19: Information for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
  From the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Coronavirus Information and Resources
  From Family Voices. Advice about what families of children with special health care needs can do.
• Resources Specific to COVID-19
  From the Catalyst Center. Includes a Medicaid toolkit, frequently asked questions about Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, coverage and benefits information, and additional links.
• Q&A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome
  From the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group – USA
• Information About COVID-19 for Cerebral Palsy Patients
  From Cerebral Palsy News Today
• Information About COVID-19 for Fragile X Syndrome Patients
  From Fragile X News Today
• COVID-19 Message for the Rett Community
  From RettSyndrome.Org

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Augmentative & Alternative Communication Resources

• Social Stories for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
  “Everyone is Worried about Getting Sick. What Can I Do?”
• Supporting Communication with Patients who have COVID-19
  Free resources for patients who are intubated and cannot speak
• Coronavirus Vocabulary for Boardmakers (AAC)

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Coping / Mental Health Support

• Coping With Coronavirus: Managing Stress, Fear, and Anxiety
  From the NIH, National Institute of Mental Health
• Daily Life and Coping
  CDC – Centers for Disease Control
• The Healthy Minds Program Free
  Translating pioneering neuroscience into tools for everyday life, our unique framework guides you through the four pillars of the science of training the mind.
• Coping with COVID-19 (pdf)
  From NAMI – The  National Alliance on Mental Illness
• How to Protect Your Mental Health during the Coronavirus Outbreak
  From NAMI – The  National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak (pdf)
  From WHO – The World Health Organization
• Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks | Spanish
  From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• How To Cope With Sheltering in Place | Spanish
  From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
  From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks | Spanish
  From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak | Spanish
  From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• COVID-19 Resources
  From the American Psychological Association

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American Sign Language Resources

• COVID-19 ASL
  From the CDC – Centers for Disease Control
• Information for the Deaf Community about COVID-19/Coronavirus
  From Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.
• A Message from the NAD About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  Plus resources and links from the National Council of the Deaf

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Education Resources for Students with Disabilities

• Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
  From the US Department of Education
• Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
  From the US Department of Education
• Webinar and fact sheet for protecting students’ civil rights during COVID-19 response
  From the US Department of Education
• Resources on accessibility, distance learning options for students with disabilities during COVID-19 emergency
  From the US Department of Education
• Provision of Special Education, Early Intervention, and 504 Services During the Coronavirus 2019 Outbreak
  From AOTA – American Occupational Therapy Association
• Wisconsin DPI – Information on COVID-19
• Wisconsin DPI updates guidance for districts during COVID-19 school closures
• Resources to Assist with Virtual Learning for Students on Alternate Standards

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University and Governmental COVID-19 Resources

• Wisconsin – Accessible Explanation of Stay at Home order (in English and Spanish)
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Updates
• UW–Madison research community responds to COVID-19
• Dane County – COVID-19 Data – Dash Board
• UW-Madison Campus Updates
• UW Health Updates

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Legislation and Policy Issues Related to COVID-19

• Small Victories, but Stimulus Bill Overlooks Many Critical Needs of People with Disabilities
  From The Arc. Notes lack of funding for in-home support services, no paid time off for family caregivers, and other critical issues.
• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Summary of Key Provisions
  From the Kaiser Foundation. Includes information about paid sick and medical leave, health insurance, and a range of other family-related issues.
• HHS Warns States Not To Put People With Disabilities At The Back Of The Line For Care
  Story from NPR
• OCR Bulletin: Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

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Waisman Center Employee Information and Resources

• COVID-19 Pandemic Employee Work Location and Leave Policy
• Resources for working & learning remotely
• How to stay safe online while working remotely
• Technology for working remotely – kb.wisc.edu
• Guide for managing fears and anxiety related to COVID-19
• Confidential counseling and consultation
• Resources for working remotely
• Tips for organizational effectiveness at a distance
• Overcoming the Disorientation of Telecommuting
• COVID-19 Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients
  Due to the potential exceptional impact of COVID-19 on the research community, NIH is providing updated guidance and information as it becomes available to help you stay healthy and safe while continuing your research.

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FUN Virtual Activities and Experiences for Kids (and Adults!)

• STEM Activities for Students (NASA)
• Space Place (NASA Science)
• Solar System Exploration (NASA Science)
• Genes in Space
• Tour National Parks From Your Couch
• Virtual Museum Tours
• Houston ZooCam

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