COVID-19

All Articles in the Category ‘COVID-19’

My First Pandemic

July 26, 2021  |  COVID-19, General 1 Comment

      First, when the pandemic began I was in a Toastmasters meeting and then I got home and found out that we have a pandemic going on from my Dad. At this point we did not know what that meant and everything was closed down for a couple of weeks.  Then we got used to working virtually with Zoom, Facetime, Teams and other resources.  As we were going through this I got really anxious about the unknown and what was going to happen during the pandemic and how long it was going to last.  I know this. Because of my condition I did not want to get sick. I started watching local media coverage to figure out what was going on and as I was doing my research I found out that individuals with developmental disabilities are able to get the vaccine as soon as it became available after doing the vaccine research and trials.  My first shot was at a mass vaccination site on the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe.  We were in the car and I felt weird getting the shot the first time, but then I felt okay getting the shot.  My second shot was at the Alyssa Burnett Center with the UW Mobile Unit. After getting the second shot is when my immune system activated. I ended up being in bed for a couple of days with a slight fever, headache, and a sore arm. I continue to wear a mask to this day even though I am fully vaccinated and continue to follow public health guidelines. And I feel better since being vaccinated going out in public and my anxiety is better. I’m nervous to find out what will happen next. Whether we will need a booster shot or if we are good with what we have now.

An Autistic’s Experience in the Era of COVID

July 23, 2021  |  COVID-19, General 3 Comments

Hello, my name is Ben Moore. I’m an autistic adult, and I’m writing to you, the reader, to explain what the process of going through a worldwide pandemic (and getting the COVID-19 vaccine) have been like from an autistic point of view. Keep in mind that my view and experiences living through these turbulent times will not match the experience of every other autistic person out there.

At the start of the COVID pandemic last March, my life wasn’t at its most serene. I was hospitalized for non-COVID related issues when the first cases started appearing, so I was kind of frightened that I might catch it, and that it would only compound my health problems in the moment. Thankfully, that did not happen, even though patients with COVID were being quarantined on the floor directly above me.

Afterwards, my experience in the pandemic has been much like everyone else’s – trying to maintain social contact in a socially-distanced world, and re-thinking how we go about our lives in the new era of online learning and meetings using applications such as Zoom and Microsoft teams.

When I first heard via the news that Pfizer and Moderna were developing mRNA-based vaccines to the coronavirus, I was excited and hopeful. Finally, I could look forward to life “returning to normal” once herd immunity were reached. I felt this optimistic leading into the morning of my appointment for receiving the first shot.

With the prick and jab of the small needle, my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was a success! I went home, and after a few hours, and persisting for a couple of days, were a minorly sore left arm (the arm I got poked in), and a tad bit of general fatigue. That was it – nothing too bad! Compared to my first shot, there were no observable aftereffects post-second shot.

Now that I’m vaccinated fully, and the state’s mask mandate has been rescinded, I’m looking forward to meeting up with all of my friends at the ABC – the Alyssa Burnett Adult Life Center – once again, so that we can continue to laugh and grow together.

One last thing I’d like to say is, if you’re autistic – and even if you aren’t – getting the COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine isn’t scary, and it doesn’t hurt. Please, if you haven’t gotten in your doses, please do! If not for yourself, then for everybody else who, for whatever reason out of medical necessity, cannot.

May we all soon embrace each other with open arms once again!

My Vote of Confidence for the COVID-19 Vaccine

July 20, 2021  |  COVID-19, General, Vaccine Comments Off on My Vote of Confidence for the COVID-19 Vaccine

               As we come out of a year of COVID-19 and the challenges that came with it, I reflect on some of my toughest, and brightest, moments. Among the top are the moments I’ve shared with my patients. I’ve seen them endure the devastating impact of isolation but have also heard the excitement and relief about their world’s opening back up.

In my clinic I see hundreds of individuals across the autism spectrum, of all ages. I have seen routines broken and opportunities for connection lacking. I’ve heard engagement with peers dramatically drop and have seen first-hand the regression this has caused.

During visits, my patients come to me sharing concerns about the vaccine and misinformation that they have heard. As a health care provider, I know the best way to boost quality of life is through returning to the community- through learning opportunities, engaging activities, and by surrounded ourselves with support systems.

It’s time for us to separate myths from facts. As a trusted provider serving the autism community for 25 years and an advocate for this population the entirety of my career, here are my biggest takeaways:

1- Review the data and facts; the vaccine is safe and trusted

2- The vaccine is needed for this population to return safely to society

3- The vaccine is vital to reestablish routine and connection, which ultimately contribute to quality of life

John, one of my patients, recently shared the following: ‘I continue to wear a mask to this day even though I am fully vaccinated and continue to follow public health guidelines. And I feel better since being vaccinated going out in public and my anxiety is better.’

Returning to group settings can be nerve-racking. In John’s case and in many others, the vaccine has benefits beyond the physical. Not only will it protect your body from illness, it can also improve mental health anxieties about returning to settings we were conditioned last year to avoid.

If you have questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor. You have my vote of confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine.

Dr. Gary Stobbe, MD Medical Director, Adult Autism Clinic, UW Medicine Director, Adults and Elders Program, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, CHDD Director, Adult Transition Services, Seattle Children’s Autism Center

In partnership with the National Center on Disability in Public Health through University of Washington LEND, our goal is to promote vaccine confidence in the developmental disabilities population. To support our efforts in disseminating this information, please pass along this blog and accompanying materials. If you’re interested in disseminating broadly, please email Valerie Unger at [email protected] to provide the organization name and estimated number of people you will reach. Providing the numbers and regions this blog post reaches will help us in our ultimate goal to vaccinate all eligible people with disabilities.

 

Please Wear a Mask – Music Therapy Video

July 20, 2020  |  COVID-19, General, Videos 1 Comment

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COVID19 – Unpredictability Triggers Challenging Behaviors

July 16, 2020  |  Behavior, COVID-19, General 2 Comments

A parent and a provider share their thoughts:

Katrina Davis is a family advocate at Seattle Children’s Autism Center and mother to Arthur, her 20-year-old beautifully complex young man with autism who gave his permission to share his story. Read full post »

Surviving COVID With A Child With Severe Autism

June 22, 2020  |  COVID-19, General 2 Comments

When the coronavirus closures and stay-home orders were launched in our state, my daughter Audrey suddenly lost access to all of her preferred social and community activities. Her life typically revolves Read full post »

Coping for Caregivers

June 5, 2020  |  COVID-19, General, Support Comments Off on Coping for Caregivers

Current events in the country and world are weighing on many of us right now. Families are likely feeling a lot of different emotions and balancing different demands while coping with change and uncertainty. Read full post »

Facebook Live Panel: Sustaining Coping Skills During Covid-19

May 27, 2020  |  COVID-19, General Comments Off on Facebook Live Panel: Sustaining Coping Skills During Covid-19

These are challenging times and almost everything about our daily lives looks different. Join us for Sustaining Coping Skills During COVID-19, the last of our Coping During COVID-19 Facebook Live Read full post »

Take 5 – Resources to Help With COVID-19 Stress

May 21, 2020  |  COVID-19, Support Comments Off on Take 5 – Resources to Help With COVID-19 Stress

Parents are understandably stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic – economic strain, health worries, being homebound with kids all day long, being teacher and parent, and more.

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Autism 205: Parenting in the New Normal

May 15, 2020  |  Autism 200, COVID-19, General Comments Off on Autism 205: Parenting in the New Normal

Join us for Autism 205: Parenting in the “New Normal,” a virtual event where parents, caregivers, self-advocates and community stakeholders can draw strength from this incredible community. This month’s Autism 200 lecture will be available through Facebook Live on Seattle Children’s and Seattle Children’s Autism Center‘s Facebook pages.

Being an effective ally for youth with autism is never more important than right now. Parents are searching for ways to communicate effectively with their child and help support them. It is a challenging time but, as we know, families from the autism community possess incredible resilience. Join us to hear perspectives about how we can be the best possible allies for kids, teens and young adults at this critical time.

Ben Wahl, program founder and ally-in-training at Ryther, will facilitate this panel discussion with Jay Pierce, teen self-advocate and TEDx speaker; Marci Ciampi, neurodiversity ambassador and autistic author; Pilar Lopez, College administrator at Bellvue College OLS and parent; and Shayla Collins, mindfulness coach at Seattle Children’s and parent.

Lecture Agenda:
– Presentations from our panelists
– Mindfulness activity with Shayla
– Audience questions and panel discussion

Time will be reserved for audience questions and discussion at the end of the lecture. Questions can be submitted through the comments on the Facebook Live.

Due to the reasonable caution surrounding reducing the spread of COVID-19, this month’s Autism 200 lecture will be only available online. Join us via Facebook Live or through the teleconferencing application, WebEx. Please note that there will be no in-person attendance at Autism 200 this month and anyone coming to the hospital will not be permitted entrance to this class. Thanks to everyone for your understanding. Further announcements regarding future Autism 200 lectures will be forthcoming.

Learn more about and view Seattle Children’s Autism 200 Series: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/keeping-kids-healthy/development/autism-200-series/

Classes are held on most third Thursdays of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Pacific time.

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