Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety Guide
ASERT has put together some resources for those with autism and those who care for people with autism relating to the current Coronavirus outbreak.
Community Members
In 2018, the CDC determined that approximately 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As part of the broad Pennsylvania community, individuals with autism live and work among us, making these resources for the community a valuable and necessary asset.
American Psychiatric Association: ASD Fact Sheet
This fact sheet includes a new, more accurate, and medically and scientifically useful way of diagnosing individuals with autism-related disorders.
View ResourceCharacteristics of Autism
This resource, designed for direct support staff, provides a basic introduction to the different characteristics of autism.
View ResourceAutism Society of America
The Autism Society of America (ASA) provides advocacy, education, information, referral, support and community at national, state and local levels through their nationwide network of Affiliates. Their website includes information on autism for individuals, parents, professionals and community members.
View ResourceAutism Speaks
Autism Speaks funds global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; raises public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and brings hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder.
View ResourceSearch within Community Members resources
Coping with Coronavirus
These resources provide some tips and suggestions for individuals and families to deal with some of the new situations brought about by COVID-19, like social distancing, isolation and planning for care.
Read moreCoronavirus (COVID-19) Health and Safety Guide
This resource provides a general overview of the coronavirus, as well as a wide range of resources for individuals, parents/caregivers, and professionals on how to stay healthy, how to manage disruptions in daily life and resources for learning more.
Read moreCoronavirus Social Story
This resource provides a visual guide for individuals with autism about the coronavirus and how to stay healthy. This resource is also available in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic.
Read moreEvidence-Based Practices
This resource provides information about evidence-based practices, what it means, how they're determined and a list of established treatments from the National Standards Project.
Read moreFire Safety Outreach Materials for People with Disabilities
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reviews and collects resources that can be used in public outreach activities to help keep people with disabilities safe from home fires. Please click on the link below to access this helpful resource.
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Fire Safety Tips
Fire safety is important for everyone, but particularly important for individuals with disabilities and those with limited communication skills. Here are some tips and resources to support people with disabilities.
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Getting Tested for COVID-19 Social Story
This resource, developed by ASERT, provides a visual guide for what to expect if someone needs to be tested for COVID-19.
Read moreHand Washing Social Story
This resource provides a visual guide for individuals with autism on how to wash hands to help stay healthy. This resource has also been translated into Russian, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic.
Read moreHosting a Sensory Friendly Event
A sensory friendly event is an event that is designed to be less sensory stimulating and overwhelming. This approach often makes it easier for individuals who have sensory sensitivities, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who are sensitive to things like noise, colors, sounds and smells, to participate in social activities and community or professional events. If your event is open to the public, you may not know if someone planning to attend has sensory sensitivities. It is therefore important to consider ways to make events welcoming for everyone who may attend.
Read moreHow I See It: Coping with Coronavirus
As part of the "How I See It" series on PAAutism.org and ASDNext.org, people in the Pennsylvania autism community share their thoughts on staying safe and healthy through the coronavirus pandemic.
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