Tools and Resources for Families and Caregivers During the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis

Many of you are probably inundated with a lot of information during the COVID-19 public health crisis and it can be a challenge to sift through all of that information to identify what would be the most relevant information.  And, in times like these it is easy to experience information overload!

Our colleagues at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health have compiled an excellent list of tools and resources to help you and your loved ones manage stress and anxiety and stay safe during this public health crisis that we have supplemented with some Washington state resources.  Look below for a list of coping strategies and activities; school and education resources; behavior supports and discussion strategies; and more. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and please provide suggestions in the comment section below.

Information related to COVID-19 and disability

• Washington State Department of Health: DOH WA
• The Arc of King County: Arc of King County
• WA State Informing Families: Informing Families (see COVID updates section)
• Washington Autism Advocacy Alliance: Washington Autism Advocacy
• Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks  
• Autism Society: Autism Society
• The Arc: The Arc
• Autism Support Network: Autism Support Network  
• Autistic Advocacy: Autism Advocacy

 Coping strategies for caregivers

• Psychology Today: Parenting during COVID-19
• Autism Speaks: What should the autism community know about the coronavirus outbreak
• Brandeis: The Heller School for Social Policy and Management: Important things to know about COVID-19
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital: What parents need to know about coronavirus
• AAFP: Inside look at using telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic
• University of Maryland School of Social Work: Conversations and Resources during COVID-19
• International Disability Alliance: COVID-19 and the disability movement
• Administration for Community Living: What do older adults and people with disabilities need to know
• National Council for Behavioral Health: Financial relief for behavioral health organizations
• UNC School of Education: Free COVID-19 toolkit
• New York Times: Talking to teens and tweens about coronavirus
• NPR: How to talk about COVID-19 with people who have autism
• SAMHSA: Coping with stress during infectious disease outbreaks
• CDC: Manage anxiety and stress
• CHOP: Maintaining wellness during COVID-19
• CHOP: Resources for wellness, resilience, coping and support during COVID-19
• MetroKids: Seven science-based strategies to cope with coronavirus anxiety
• Calm: Take a deep breath
• Insight Timer: #1 free app for sleep, anxiety and stress
• Headspace: Mindfulness for your everyday life)
• Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/
• Seattle Childrens: Seattle Children’s Keeping Kids Healthy

Coping strategies/activities to do at home with children

• NASP: Talking to children about COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
• SAMHSA: Talking with children: Tips for caregivers, parents and teachers during infectious disease outbreaks
• Times Union: COVID-19: Preparation tips for families affected by autism
• Devereux Center for Effective Schools: Minute to win it games
• Devereux Center for Effective Schools: Scavenger Hunt Bingo
• Devereux Center for Effective Schools: Paper Airplane Olympics
• Devereux Center for Effective Schools: “Chill out” games
• Be a Dinosaur: Interactive educational games
• Project ECHO: Parent Resources During COVID-19
• Travel + Leisure: Stuck at home? These 12 famous museums offer virtual tours you can take on your couch
• Macaroni Kid Scranton: 33 virtual field trip ideas for kids
• Aunt Bertha: Search for free and reduced cost services
• Cool Mom Tech: Eight fantastic educational resources for online learning, just in case you need them, parents
• A Mothership Down: How to prepare for extended school closings (and not lose your mind)
• Princess Awesome and Boy Wonder: Giant list of ideas for being home with kids
• Mindfulness for Teens: Resources for mindfulness
• Annaka Harris: Guided mediation for children
• Parenting Chaos: 15 mindfulness and relaxation apps for kids with anxiety
• Emotional ABCs: Empowering children with better emotional skills
• GoNoodle: Movement powers change
• Fluency and Fitness: Helping students exercise their brains and bodies

School-related information

• Devereux Center for Effective Schools: Suggested daily schedule
• Devereux Center for Effective Schools: Offline learning activities
• Devereux Center for Effective Schools: Printable educational resources for middle and high school students
• Wide Open School: Online teaching resources for teachers and parents
• IDEA: Questions and answers on providing services to children with disabilities during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak (March 2020)
• Autism Speaks: How to handle school closures and services for your child with autism
• Disability Scoop: Feds weigh in on special ed, Medicaid concerns over coronavirus
• Scholastic: Scholastic Learn at home
• Mystery Science: School closure planning
• Hippo Campus: Free educational resources for middle school to college
• Homeschool Hideout: Resources for homeschooling
• Wild Free and Crafty: Free art lessons for kids and adults
• Seattle Childrens School Services: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/school-services/
• Seattle Childrens School Services: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/clinics/school-services/early-education-school-schedule.pdf
• Seattle Childrens School Services: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/clinics/school-services/upper-elementary–middle-school-schedule.pdf
• Seattle Childrens School Services: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/globalassets/documents/clinics/school-services/hs-resources-and-schedules.pdf
• Washington PAVE: www.wapave.org

Social stories, behavioral supports/videos and discussion strategies

• Child Mind Institute: Talking to kids about the coronavirus
• National Disability Rights Network: Plain language information on COVID-19
• CDC: Handwashing posters
• World Health Organization: Hand hygiene posters
• Growing Hands-On Kids: Tips and tricks for teaching handwashing with kids
• NPR: Just for kids: A comic exploring the new coronavirus
• Sesame Street: Caring for each other
• PBS: How to talk to your kids About coronavirus
• Little Puddins: What is the coronavirus?
• Mindheart: #COVIBOOK: Supporting and reassuring children around the world
• Autism Speaks: Everyone gets sick sometimes
• Autism Society of North Carolina: Don’t share your germs! A social story about staying healthy
• BrainPOP: Coronavirus video
• Oregon Department of Human Services: COVID-19 informational video
• ATN/AIR-P: First-then boards for children with autism spectrum disorder Spanish-language version
• ATN/AIR-P: Visual schedule for children with autism spectrum disorder Spanish-language version
• ASERT: Coronavirus (COVID-19) health and safety guide
• ASERT: Visual schedule resources
• ASERT: How to create and use social stories
• Green Mountain Self-Advocates: COVID-19 information by and for people with disabilities; Spanish-language version
• Piplo Productions: Once I was very scared
• Iain S. Thomas: Where did everyone go?

About our colleagues at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is one of the largest and most advanced behavioral healthcare organizations in the country. Founded in 1912 by special education pioneer Helena Devereux, Devereux is a national nonprofit partner for individuals, families, schools and communities, serving many of the most vulnerable members of our society in areas of autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, specialty mental health, and child welfare. The organization is guided by its mission: To change lives by unlocking and nurturing human potential for people living with emotional, behavioral or cognitive differences. To learn more, visit www.devereux.org.