COVID-19 Help for Families and Children with Disabilities

Here you can find resources that can help families and children with disabilities navigate the COVID-19 crisis at home, school or in the community.

Doctor visits during COVID-19

A short story to help children deal with the fear connected with seeing a doctor wearing a mask and/or face shield.

Author: Tara Tuchel, Speech/language pathologist

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Videos for deaf people

Videos for deaf people, who have been marginalized in accessing information (beyond the silent language interpreters at government announcements).

Author: Prof. Claudine Storbeck

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The human rights of children with disabilities and impact on neurodevelopment during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this webinar MD Veronica Schiariti from the University of Victoria, Canada, shares materials promoting the rights of children with disabilities during the covid-19 pandemic. The content includes the rights of access remote support and equility during the covid-19 crisis. Some of these materials were recently presented at a short AACPDM e-course.

Author: MD Veronica Schiariti

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Disability considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this podcast Dr Veronica Schiariti from UVIC, Canada, describes key points of the World Health Organization’s document dedicated to disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak. A special section has been added to include children and youth with disabilities and their families.

Author: MD Veronica Schiariti

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What is COVID 19? – from children’s perspective

Animations explaining what COVID-19 is to children with and without disabilities – from the children’s perspective.

Author: MD Veronica Schiariti

Youtube video in English 

Youtube video in Spanish

Attending your child’s video appointment

Attending your child’s video appointment. A tele-health guide for families.

Author: Centre of Research Excellence in Newborn Medicine & The University of Melbourne

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What is “social distancing”

PDF document that explains what is social distancing.

Author: Inclusion Europe

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How to join online meeting in Microsoft Teams

Instructions for young adults with disability on how to keep in touch with friends, relatives, teachers and therapists during lockdown.

A guide in easy to read language on how to join a Microsoft Teams call.

Author: Inclusion Europe

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Caring for children during COVID-19

The Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI) at the National University Hospital has put together resources delivered to support parents and caregivers during the challenging period of COVID – 19. Useful information on caring for children during COVID-19 including preparing children to return to school, a guide to help your children wear a mask, self-care tips for caregivers and many more guides.

Author: Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute (KTP-NUCMI), National University Hospital

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Covid19 Testing – Visual Guide

Social Story explaining the COVID test procedure for young people with autism who may need to have a test.

Author: As I Am – Ireland’s National Autism Charity & Advocacy Organization

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COVID-19: Tips for Supporting Your Child with Intellectual Disability

Tips for parents supporting a child with Intellectual disability at home during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Author: Ireland’s Health Services

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My Hero is You, Storybook for Children on COVID-19

Storybook on COVID for children, “My Hero is You”

Author: Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG)

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COVID-19 free Books

A collection of free eBooks in multiple languages for children about the Coronavirus.

Source: New York City School Library System

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While We Can’t Hug

YouTube video and book . While We Can’t Hug is a lovely short story for children to explain social distancing during Covid-19.

Authors: Polly Dunbar, Eoin Mclaughlin

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Preparing your child for returning to school

Information on preparing your child to return to school.

Authors: Royal College of Occupational Therapists

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Parenting in a Pandemic television and podcast series

‘PARENTING IN A PANDEMIC’ – In this television series, founder of the internationally acclaimed Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, Professor Matthew Sanders and Katrina Blowers along with special guests provide practical and actionable advice to help you steer your household through the COVID crisis. (Episode 10: Helping children with diverse needs)

Authors: Professor Matthew Sanders, The University of Queensland, Australia

Watch here.

Coronavirus – A book for children

„Coronavirus”, a book on COVID for children explaining what the coronavirus is, how you catch the coronavirus, what happens if you catch it, if there is a cure for it , why some places, we normally go to, are closed, what it is like to be at home all the time, what we can do to avoid stress.

Authors: Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson, Nia Roberts

Illustrated by: Axel Scheffler

Consultant: Professor Graham Medley, Professor of Infectious Disease Modelling, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Read the book here..

What to do if you’re anxious about coronavirus

Tips for teenagers on what they can do if they feel anxious, stressed or concerned about coronavirus.

Authors: YoungMinds

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Coping with Coronavirus

Free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through the coronavirus pandemic.

Authors: Beyond Words, Empowering people through pictures

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Your Emergency Plan for COVID-19 – A guide to help you make your own plan

Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (PCEP) Planning for COVID-19. QDN has been working with the University of Sydney and the Queensland Government on practical tools and information to help you, persons with disability,  think through how to make a plan for their own individual needs and situation during COVID-19.

Authors: QDN, Queenslanders with Disability Network

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My Schedule will Change

Modifying routines for Children with Autism.

Authors: Autism Society

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Tolerance for Uncertainty: A COVID – 1 9 Workbook

A Guide to accept your feelings

A great resource dedicated to tolerate distress , and thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors: Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa, BAYPSYCHOLOGY, Canada

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Roll from supine to prone position

An instructional video for parents on how to support a child side rolling.

Polish with English subtitles

Authors: Sylwia Romaniak, Aleksandra Barna, Early Intervention Centre, Polish Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability, Gdansk, Poland

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Psychological Survival guide for clinicians

This is a podcast series aiming to support mental health and well-being during this troubling time. Each episode will see host Jan Ní Fhlanagaín talk through a specific issue or topic which could be affecting people’s lives now, gaining insight from those in the know.

Authors: Jan Ní Fhlanagaín, RTE Ireland’s National Public Service Media

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