Tips for Transitioning Kids on the Autism Spectrum Back to School During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Returning to school is one of the many concerns children and families are coping with during the COVID-19 pandemic. While parents of children with autism may be particularly concerned due to many children's inherent difficulty with transition and change, there is some good news. Children with autism thrive on routine and establish new routines rather quickly. Debra Reicher, PhD, Child and Adolescent Psychologist at the Stony Brook Clinical Autism Program, offers tips that may be useful to help parents ease into the back to school transition process.
Help for parents of children with ASD during the COVID-19 pandemic
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience issues with communication, resistance to change, and difficulty with transition. Debra Reicher, PhD, Child and Adolescent Psychologist at the Stony Brook Clinical Autism Program, provides suggestions to help parents living with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) manage these challenges during the COVID-19 crisis.
Community Resources to Help Support Families with ASD
The Stony Brook University's Autism Initiative has curated a collection of recommended resources from community to support families with ASD during these challenging times, including visual supports and behavioral tools to help with developing new routines.
Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute provides seven support strategies designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism during this period of uncertainty. These strategies focus on supporting understanding, offering opportunities for expression, prioritizing and calming skills, maintaining routines, building routines, fostering connection (from a distance), and being aware of changing behaviors. The guide includes examples and ready-made resources to help caregivers implement these strategies quickly and easily.