Families & Caregivers Looking for Children Resources

POND-Network KidsvsCovid Video. We are a part of POND Advisory Committee.

Helping autistic kids cope with the chaos and uncertainty of coronavirus (The Washington Post)

How to talk to children and address their coronavirus concerns (CBC News)

Sesame Workshop Shares New Resources and Activities to Help Parents and Kids Cope With Self-Isolation

Working from home: Developing a new routine

Autism and isolation: How coronavirus is affecting kids on the spectrum and their parents

Parents of kids with special needs say pandemic presents unique challenges

Apple highlights apps to help families manage autism amid the coronavirus

COVID-19 Navigation Guide from CASDA

Online tool kit ED.UNC.EDU

COVID-19 Preparedness and Resources by Autism Society

How to apply for EI and COVID-19 emergency benefits (CBC News)

5 tips for parents with children on the autism spectrum during COVID-19 pandemic

Great Tips to Help Autistic Kids Cope During the Coronavirus Quarantine from Temple Grandin

Learning4Success: Digital initiative to help children with developmental disabilities during distance learning
Learning4Success is a digital initiative of HWDSB Specialized Services created in response to the COVID-19 school closure. Here, you will find meaningful learning tasks for families to use with their child at home.

These learning tasks are designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or a Developmental Disability who are on a modified or alternative program at school. All tasks use items commonly found at home.

Caring for Children and Adolescents with Autism During COVID 19
The American Psychological Association and Autism Speaks present a webinar designed to help parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with autism connect with each other as they continue to navigate life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus: A Book for Children
The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:

• What is the coronavirus?
• How do you catch the coronavirus?
• What happens if you catch the coronavirus?
• Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus?
• Is there a cure for the coronavirus?
• Why are some places we normally go to closed?
• What can I do to help?
• What’s going to happen next?

Tips for families living with autism during COVID-19 crisis: Holland Bloorview expert
For families and caregivers, the COVID-19 pandemic has made life very challenging these days. Parents have to juggle the added responsibility of working from home with the demands of childcare and educating their children all at the same time. For families who have children with autism, this is especially hard, because it means sudden changes to their routines which can be difficult.

Children’s story book released to help children and young people cope with COVID-19
“My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” (is) a book written for children around the world affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

It was produced through a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector as part of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, co-chaired by WHO.

During the early stages of the project, more than 1,700 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from around the world shared how they were coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The input was invaluable to the project team in making sure that the story and its messages resonated with children from different backgrounds and continents.

It is intended to be read to children aged 6-11 years, by a parent, caregiver or teacher.

In order to reach as many children as possible, the book is being widely translated, with a number of language versions released today and more than 30 others in the pipeline.

Chai Lifeline Canada: free resource list of activities for families
Chai Lifeline Canada: a list of resources, tips, and daily schedules of events for families to participate in, created for the community impacted by childhood illnesses

Fun and budget-friendly stay-at-home activities
Created by the Family Support Specialists at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, a host of at-home activities for the family.

COVID-19: Tip Sheets and Resources
Tips and Resources from Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital including your legal rights during COVID-19, stay at home activities and emergency funding sources.

Families, children with autism 'struggling' with isolation amid COVID-19 outbreak with fewer supports, service
Parents who have kids with autism describe quarantine as exhausting, difficult and overwhelming (CBC.ca)

5 tips for parents with children on the autism spectrum during COVID-19 pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of schools and daycares, parents and children are adapting to life at home. But for parents of children on the autism spectrum, helping their kids transition to the new normal can be a bit more challenging.

Natalie McLellan is a family and community consultant with the Autism and Behavioural Services Program at Thames Valley Children Centre, which serves several counties in southwestern Ontario.
CBC News

AboutKidsHealth Learning Hub (SickKids)
SickKids experts and AboutKidsHealth have put together a Learning Hub, which includes resources on how to support your child's mental health and general well-being through COVID 19.

This hub includes resources on COVID-19 and how to help you cope. There are resources on how to support your child's mental health and general wellbeing through physical activity, sleep, nutrition and learning. Also included are videos and audio meditations to help you cope with stressful thoughts and experiences that occur throughout your day.

Is my child or adolescent feeling stressed about COVID-19? (AboutKidsHealth)
Learn how children and adolescents express stress through their thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Find some strategies on how you can help your child.

Coping with separation from family and friends during COVID-19 (AboutKidsHealth)
Learn about some ways you can help your child or adolescent to cope and stay connected with family and friends while they are separated from them.

Sesame Workshop Shares New Resources and Activities to Help Parents and Kids Cope With Self-Isolation
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, is enlisting Elmo, Oscar the Grouch, and the rest of your favorite puppets to help parents and children cope with life at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to existing content from the show about health and wellness, the “Caring for Each Other” initiative will feature new material that covers topics like hand-washing, proper protocol for coughing or sneezing, and the relationship between taking good care of yourself and taking good care of others.

Apple highlights apps to help families manage autism amid the coronavirus
For Autism Acceptance Day, the company is calling attention to tools that help parents with neurodiverse children.

Parents of kids with special needs say pandemic presents unique challenges
Featured on CTV News

COVID-19 Navigation Guide from CASDA
CASDA knows these are challenging times for our community. We are looking to curate and push out mental health resources (dealing with isolation, stress, anxiety) and ideas and activities that members have created/found helpful.

Autism and isolation: How coronavirus is affecting kids on the spectrum and their parents

Helping Families With Special Needs During a Public Health Crisis
The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic brings additional worry. In these unprecedented and uncertain times, there are many steps families and caregivers can take – such as the ones listed below – to provide reassurance to children and adults living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences.

Autism, Anxiety and COVID-19
COVID-19 has profoundly heightened anxiety in the autism community internationally. Our families and organizations are struggling to provide a stable environment for children, youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Able adults with ASD are also feeling the strain.

To mark World Autism Day with a practical initiative, ACT has invited three respected mental health clinicians, who have presented for ACT on autism and mental health, to answer questions on ‘Anxiety and COVID-19’. Wherever you live in the world, in British Columbia, across Canada, or further afield, you are welcome to submit your questions. We will choose the most representative for our panelists to tackle.

Tackling Social Skills for Children with Autism during Social Distancing
The coronavirus pandemic is a challenging time for all of us, and it can be especially difficult for individuals with autism. Family routines have been disrupted, social outlets have been removed, and professional supports have been decreased or eliminated. Below are some activities to target social skills and keep your loved ones busy and engaged.

How to Use Sesame Street in Communities Resources for Health Emergencies with Families Now
As a result of COVID-19, families around the world are needing to adjust, adapt, and keep each other safe. In response, Sesame Workshop is launching the Caring for Each Other initiative—a long-term commitment to supporting families for the duration of this crisis.

Join us for a 60-minute conversation about how to use Sesame Street videos, games, and other assets so families can feel healthy, find comfort, and learn playfully at home!

Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times

Webinar: Preventing and Managing Severe Autism Behaviors at Home
Many autism families are facing tremendous hardship during the coronavirus crisis. This interactive online forum focused on strategies for families living with challenging behaviors, such as aggression, property destruction, pica, and self-injury. Featuring Matthew Siegel, MD, Maine Behavioral Healthcare, Gloria Satriale, Ed.D, JD, BSL, ACRE, Preparing Adolescents & Adults for Life, PA. Moderated by Jill Escher and Amy Lutz, NCSA.

Webinar: Activities and Tips for Cooped-Up Autism Families
Amanda N Kelly, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA leads an interactive forum focusing on tips for home activities for children and adults with autism with a focus on more severe end of the spectrum. Amanda Kelly is the host of the Behaviorbabe podcast and the behaviorbabe.com website. Moderator: Feda Almaliti, Vice President, NCSA

Homeschooling with Autism
Tips on homeschooling a child on the autism spectrum.

POND-Network #KidsvsCovid Video
The Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders (POND) Network developed a video by kids for kids.

How to cope with disrupted personal routines during COVID-19

Online toolkit for those supporting individuals with autism during COVID-19 epidemic
User-friendly, evidence-based resources for people supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Supporting Neurodiverse Children In Challenging Times Such As During Self-Isolation

CAMH Mindfulness Mondays
Free online mindfulness sessions for caregivers and loved ones in the developmental disability community, regardless of age or disability.

Coronavirus Social Story - The Autism Educator
A social story to explain coronvirus to children with autism.

How to explain COVID-19 to children with autism
How to Explain a Global Health Crisis to Children with Autism. Tips from research and clinical practice provide guidance.

Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times (AFIRM)
All children and young adults require support from caregivers during times of stress and uncertainty, such as those we are facing now with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The following 7 support strategies are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism during this period of uncertainty.
https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/supporting-individuals-autism-through-uncertain-times

Educating All Learners (Virtual Special Education)
To help teachers better serve special education students during the school closures, a coalition of more than 30 disability and education groups has created a digital one-stop shop of teaching resources.

EducatingAllLearners.org includes specific guidance on how teachers can deliver lessons online to students in special education, which has been a challenge as schools transition to online learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Visual Books on Coronavirus (Beyond Words)
Beyond Words is a charity that provides books and training to support people who find pictures easier to understand than words. The following books have been developed relating to COVID-19:
1. Beating the Virus: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/downloads-shop/beating-the-virus
2. Jack Plans Ahead for Coronavirus: a guide for family and carers: https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/downloads-shop/jack-plans-ahead-for-coronavirus
3. When Someone Dies from Coronavirus: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/551cfff9e4b0f74d74cb307e/t/5e9578851288b77c2683f29a/1586854025277/When+someone+dies+from+coronavirus+V1.pdf

Everyday Heroes Kids - Pediatric Platform
Everyday Heroes Kids connects families to all accredited pediatric professionals who work in the areas of health, mental health and education.

What to do at home during times of quarantine: a guidebook for adults by children
Inspired by Mehmet Dinc, from Turkey, a number of narrative practitioners have consulted children ages 6-15 years old to create a guide for parents during lockdown

Covid-19 resources from Autistics United Canada

Online couses, software, academic journals, and apps that you can access for free during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada from Dealhack

My COVID Disability Q (Kids Brain Health Network)
CanChild, the Kids Brain Health Network, and the CHILD-BRIGHT Network are happy to announce the launch of My COVID Disability Q., a new Twitter Q&A hub for Canadian children and youth with disabilities as well as family members speaking on their behalf. Using My COVID Disability Q., youth and their family members are invited to ask questions relating to disabilities and the ongoing COVID-19 situation and get credible answers from some of Canada’s leading disability experts working in a wide range of fields including health, research, science, policy, leisure, and wellbeing.

Caring for Each Other (Sesame Street)
Your friends on Sesame Street are here to support you during the COVID-19 health crisis. We know that these are very stressful times; daily lives have been disrupted, and families everywhere are trying to create a new sense of normalcy. Children thrive with structure in their lives and they learn best through play--even in everyday moments like mealtimes and morning and evening routines. So our site is filled with content you can use all day long to spark playful learning, offer children comfort, and focus a bit on yourself, too. After all, it's important that we take care of ourselves, so that we can best care for our families.

Autism & COVID-19 Webinar 4: Wearing Face Masks (Mount Sinai)
Webinar discussing strategies on helping children with autism wear face masks. (Mount Sinai)

Making Mask-Wearing Easier for Autistic Adults and Those with Sensory Needs (Autism Speaks)
Clinical psychologist Dr. Rebecca Shaffer of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital reviews some easy steps to practice mask-wearing at home for autistic people so that you can be successful wearing masks as communities re-open.

A Guide to Sleeping with Coronavirus Anxiety (Best Sleep Health)
Corona Anxiety Sleep Guide from Best Sleep Health.

Supporting those with Autism during the Covid-19 Outbreak (Options UK)
Tips on handwashing and other resources to help support those with autism during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Wearing a Mask Social Story Board (National Council on Severe Autism)

We Wear Masks - A Video Social Story about the coronavirus (Mr. Mike)
We Wear Masks - A Video Social Story about the coronavirus from Mr. Mike's Tips and Tutorials for Teachers and Parents.

Friday Night Social - Funky Movies Party (Brighton Social Groups)
Every Friday in May, June and July 2020, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Funky Games Party at Friday Night Social! For adolescents or young adults who would like to socialize online with friends and peers each Friday night at 7:00pm For FREE!
Friday Night E-Social is designed for adolescents and young adults who require some support or facilitation of social skills and friendships. It is facilitated by Brighton Launch staff. Usually held live and in-person, but during the COVID-19 closure, they have moved to a FREE online program. It will be held every Friday in May, June and July.

How to Enhance Physical Activity Particpation (Autism Ontario)
Webinar covering the social and behavioural benefits of physical activity for people with autism, and highlight the importance of activity during Covid.

COVID-19 Hospital Transfer Form (Surrey Place)
The COVID-19 Hospital Transfer Form is designed for family and other caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the event of a hospital admission for COVID-19, this form communicates essential information to hospital staff. (Surrey Place)

Distance Learning Poses Challenges for Some Families of Children with Disabilities (The Conversation)
Corona Virus: Distance Learning Poses Challenges for Some Families of Children with Disabilities (The Conversation)

Designing a Home Playroom for Children with Autism (ProductDiggers)
Designing the perfect home playroom for children with autism - A Complete Guide. (Product Diggers)

Helping your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder be Physically Active and Reduce Stress at Home (Autism Parenting Magazine)
Helping your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder be Physically Active and Reduce Stress at Home. (Autism Parenting Magazine)

Hire and Fire your Kids Free Resource (Hire and Fire Your Kids)
Many homes are being directly impacted with Covid-19. Families are seeing disruptions in services and coping with the uncertainty everyday. We're all needing to adjust, adapt, and keep each other safe - Hire and Fire your Kids is a unique tool to add to your resources, enhancing your parenting style and helping communicate as a family living in the digital age. Hire and Fire your Kids is a Gamified Parenting App played between parents and kids to help manage behaviours and chores. The goal is to reduce family friction, change behaviours through play and help prepare kids with the skills they’ll need to take forward into the ‘real world’. Hire and Fire your Kids would love to support families during the Covid-19 crisis with a FREE Download and be a resource to help during these uncertain times. We're also looking for families to engage with us so we can learn how Hire and Fire your Kids is working in more homes across Canada. With your help we can continue to adjust, adapt and make changes to this Canadian app, based on feedback from both parents and kids and can continue to help reduce family friction and prepare more kids for the ‘real world’. For more information email us at INFO@HIREandFIREyourKIDS.com
https://hireandfireyourkids.com/

Lockdown Learning Series Webisode (Dr. Blake Pearson)
"You're invited to JOIN US on June 24th at 7:00 PM EDT, for a discussion about caring for individuals living with disabilities during the pandemic.
Register today for the FREE Virtual event at; www.drblakepearson.org/events
The physical and psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are wide-reaching and affect every one of us in personal ways. For adults and children living with disabilities, it has presented its own unique challenges: disrupting the routines that help our loved-ones thrive, cancelling much-needed support programs, and adding undue pressure onto the shoulders of already overextended caregivers.
In Webisode Five, we will be joined by entrepreneur, disabilities advocate and mother of a child with autism, Jessica Moran , for a real talk about how the pandemic is impacting children with disabilities, adults, their families, and share practical advice to help you get through these times.
If you or someone you care about is living with a disability and dealing with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, we hope you can join us." www.drblakepearson.org/events

Coping During COVID-19: Strategies to Reinforce Executive Functioning Skills During Times of Change (Autism Spectrum News)

How to help autistic children cope with pandemic lockdowns (Spectrum News)

Tips and Tricks to be Physically Active (Autism Ontario)
"Participating in physical activity can help make you feel good, create routine and provide an opportunity to create social connections. Being physically active can also improve physical health (e.g., reduce risk of a heart attack). Participating in physical activity can also improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety (Hillier et al., 2010), and provide a sense of predictability, as well as feelings of fun, joy and pleasure.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily routines and lives in many ways, being physically active during this time is especially important. Below, we provide examples of physical activity, and tips on how to be physically active."

ASD Webinar #1: Supporting the Mental Health of Children & Teens with Autism during Covid 19 (Jeremy Roberts, MPP)
"Supporting the Mental Health of Children & Teens with Autism during Covid 19", featuring Dr. Jonathan Weiss, Teresa Hedley, & Erik Hedley.
*Note: the video has been edited and re-shot to fix sound issues*
Links for Dr. Weiss’ portion:
Part 1: https://asdmentalhealth.blog.yorku.ca/…/supporting-mental-…/
Part 2: https://asdmentalhealth.blog.yorku.ca/…/how-to-reduce-dema…/
Part 3: https://asdmentalhealth.blog.yorku.ca/…/how-to-increase-ou…/
Part 4: https://asdmentalhealth.blog.yorku.ca/…/changing-the-meani…/

We Wear Masks
A simple Social Story to help children understand why we wear masks. It also provides language for providers, families, teachers and other caregivers. Submitted in response to Task Force User Call for Families.

Project Autism
Your child deserves a place in the community. Without a sense of community, we feel lost, isolated and withdrawn and for people living with disabilities, this is even more frustrating. It is hard enough dealing with everyday obstacles, without having to struggle to find accessible community programs for individuals with special needs. Like you, we feel it's wrong that there are not more opportunities available - for everyone in the community.

Help, We've Got Kids
Search 8,000+ local birthday party places, camps, after-school programs and more.

5 Canadian Virtual Field Trips for Fun & Learning
Field trips are an exciting part of homeschooling. They allow a hands-on, real life interaction with a subject – whether that just be food at the grocery store, or re-enacting life in a pioneer village. However, sometimes…. it’s not possible to go out and touch, feel, and explore. Sometimes, it would be fantastic to go on a field trip without ever leaving your house.

Cosmic Kids Yoga
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation for kids. Interactive adventures which build strength, balance and confidence - and get kids into yoga and mindfulness early!