At CAR our goal is to provide you, our families, individuals with ASD, professionals, and our community, with up-to-date and useful information. In this current public health crisis, we aim to provide resources for understanding, education, and recreation. On this page, you will find social stories, links to educational and recreational resources, and some help for parents as well.
We recommend you visit the CDC and Commonwealth of Massachusetts for information on the Coronavirus and COVID-19, as well as guidelines and recommendations for social distancing.
Check back often as we will be updating the resources on this page frequently. Need a resource that isn't here yet? Message us on Facebook and let us know!
In an effort to provide useful information to the individuals we support with ASD, CAR has created some visuals to help.
To discuss/educate individuals about what happens when they need to be tested for COVID-19:
What If I Need to Be Tested for COVID-19 (Text Only)
What If I Need to Be Tested for COVID-19 (Visual Story)
What To Expect from the COVID-19 Swab Test (Checklist)
We have created a Communication Board with symbols that represent major topics for discussion on the coronavirus, as well as a visual of strategies for staying healthy. We also have Coronavius information for adults with ASD who may be looking for higher level access to information.
For fun, we have created a Bingo Game to play while at home.
Also available is a social story entitled "Why Do I Have to Stay Home? A Story about Cancellations Due to Coronavirus". These resources are also available in Spanish (see links below).
Vietnamese translation of our COVID-19 Communication Board
CAR Visual Social Story - Why Do I Need to Wear A Mask. A Story about Wearing a Mask in Public created by Shannon Sousa, MS, CCC-SLP of Community Autism Resources
"How to Implement Visual Related to COVID-19" to help you better understand how to implement the visual information you have received for your child with ASD.
Coronavius information for adults with ASD who may be looking for higher level access to information.
For fun, we have created a Bingo Game to play while at home.
Also available is a social story entitled "Why Do I Have to Stay Home? A Story about Cancellations Due to Coronavirus".
We have resources also available in Spanish:
Tablero de Comunicacion/Spanish
Estrategias Para Mantenerse Saludable/Spanish
¿Por Qué Tengo Que Quedarme
en Casa? - Una historia sobre cancelaciones debido a coronavirus/Spanish
Take A Virtual Tour From Your Living Room
Free Book Club for Adults with Asperger/Autism Profiles
Doctor Who launches Staying In the TARDIS site with weekly challenges for kids
Casey's Fun Faces Painting Classes on Facebook for this week
Doug Flutie and 9 Autism Self-Advocates Perform "We Are the World" Cover
Michelle Obama Is Hosting a Weekly Storytime for Children Staying Home Due to COVID-19
You Can Watch Disney World’s Happily Ever After Fireworks from Home TONIGHT!
Online Trivia (Theme: Earth Day!)
10 of the best virtual tours of the world's natural wonders
Visit Europe’s biggest aquarium for free on this virtual tour
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s biggest musicals are streaming free on YouTube for a limited time
Free Learn to Code Workshop | Code Your First Real Website
Something fun from Casey's Fun Faces!!Follow their facebook page to learn more about their virtual paint parties and have some fun painting!!
Microsoft and Mojang release free Minecraft Education pack to help kids stuck in quarantine
List of Ideas to help entertain and educate
Boston Symphony Orchestra now streaming: BSO at Home Listening Week #2
British Library Makes “Harry Potter: A History of Magic” Exhibit Available Online For Free
A List Of Live Virtual Concerts To Watch During The Coronavirus Shutdown
Take a virtual tour of Long Island museums
Cook-Along with Raddish Kids! (free video series) on Facebook
Olaf From ‘Frozen’ Will Read Books To Your Kids On Twitter
Disney Hosts Virtual Viewing of Magical New Parade as Parks Remain Closed Indefinitely
Maintaining Transition Skills at Home
A therapist-approved list of family activities that can help kids process COVID-19
Youtube Video - Cooking with Kids from Parenting Special Needs Magazine
From mass.gov - Ideas and suggestions for activities to do while social-distancing
From the YMCA - Free Workout Videos
Virtual Paint Class for Adults
Watch Crip Camp which is now on Netflix
7 board games you can play online with friends while you’re staying inside from Boston.com
5 party games to play online with friends while you’re staying inside from Boston.com
The Franklin Park Zoo will being going live on their Facebook page at 1:30 p.m. each day for #ZooToYou: a daily dose of animal cuteness, chats with our care staff, crafts and activities to do at home, and more!
REELABILITIES FILM FESTIVAL BOSTON. ReelAbilities Boston 2020 Is Screening Online! Registration is free for all online screenings. Click here to register!
Free stories for kids of all ages from Audible.com
New England Aquarium Is Live Streaming “Virtual Visits” With Activities For Kids
20 Virtual Field Trips to Take with Your Kids from www.adventuresinfamilyhood.com
12 famous museums offer virtual tours you can take on your couch from HelloGiggles
Tour Yellowstone National Park!
Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover
Travel to Paris, France to see amazing works of art at The Louvre with this virtual field trip.
This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life.
Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss
Online history classes for all ages preteen through adults
Tons of free classes from leading universities and companies
What To Expect When I Get My Covid Vaccine
A Visual Story About Having Visitors Over in the Time of COVID-19
A visual to explain why we are staying home from UC Davis MIND Institute
Visual Recipe by Raddishkids.com - Country Western Tofu Scramble
Visual Recipe by Raddishkids.com - Hip Hop Fruit Pops
Free Communication Tools for Patients with Coronavirus (Available in English & Bilingual)
BrainPOP recently shared a free video on their website regarding the coronavirus. You may find this video a helpful resource when speaking to your child about this virus. Please view this video and decide if you feel it would be appropriate. View video here.
To learn more about BrainPOP, please click here!
News Articles/Social Stories regarding the Coronavirus
Social Story from Teachers Pay Teachers
Autism and Coronavirus: Helping Students Understand by Linda Hodgdon, M. Ed., CCC-SLP
The Autism Educator's Coronavirus Social Story
CDC Article on Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
We are very appreciative that News2You (n2y,LLC) gave us permission to share the information from their website with our families. In the zipfile attached below, there are 3 topic-specific documents: (1) Coronavirus News, (2) Coronavirus Closings & (3) An Update.
Each topic has:
- a news story in written words
- the same news story in a visual/social story format; and
- a visual review page.
News2You (n2y, LLC) World News on the Coronavirus News, Closings & An Update
Resources for Early Learning from resourcesforearlylearning.org
MCDHH has created a visual tool to help hospital staff, medical personnel, first responders, and service providers communicate
Funny Youtube video to inspire handwashing
Musical Meals Homeschool Lesson Plan by Raddishkids.com
Coronavirus Resources for Kids, Parents and Educators from wholechildcounseling.com
Resources for Children with Autism during COVID-19 by howtoaba.com
COVID-19 Information & Resources from the Mass DOE
Coronavirus Information Center on Facebook
School Closure Toolkit from EasterSeals
Distance / Home Learning Packets and Strategies for Special Education from www.breezyspecialed.com
Here's The Entire List of Education Companies Offering FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS Due to School Closings from kidsactivities.com
Here is a link to educational services that are either already free or are offering free subscriptions during the coronavirus period.
Boardmaker is offering a free 12 weeks of printable activities!
Find links to each guidance here:
COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted
On May 29, the Commonwealth lifted COVID-19 restrictions, except in certain settings including group homes, day programs, and transportation. Important COVID-19 protocols on surveillance testing, PPE, and infection control will remain in place for our programs.
Vaccination Update
- All people age 12+ in Massachusetts are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Walk-in appointments are now available at most vaccination sites, meaning you no longer need to book an appointment in advance.
- The Homebound Vaccination Program is now available to anyone with trouble getting to a vaccination site. Call 1-833-983-0485 to schedule your in-home vaccination.
- Call 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 to schedule an appointment over the phone.
- Use the VaxFinder website to search for appointments at pharmacies, health care providers, and other community locations.
If you need help planning a COVID-19 vaccination for an individual served by DDS, please contact your DDS Service Coordinator.
Wearing Masks
Individuals served by DDS should follow the public mask guidance in public settings. If you are vaccinated, wear a mask if the setting requires it. If you are unvaccinated, public health guidance recommends you continue to wear masks in public and settings in which others may be unvaccinated.
Visitation
We have asked our residential settings to return to their pre-pandemic visitation policies and practices with the following exceptions:
- Continued screening of all visitors for symptoms of illness and COVID-19 infection.
- Suspended visitation when a resident is isolating due to COVID infection or there is a COVID-19 outbreak at the program.
- Visitors must wear masks indoors at the home except if fully vaccinated and visiting a fully vaccinated resident in their room. Staff are still required to wear masks in group homes, regardless of vaccination status.
- Residents who are fully vaccinated may visit with loved ones who are fully vaccinated without maintaining social distancing or wearing masks, if they choose.
Please see below for helpful links and resources:
COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Massachusetts vaccine information: mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine
- Find available appointments using VaxFinder.mass.gov
- Homebound Vaccination Program
- FAQ: Transportation to COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments for MassHealth Members
- Accessibility Information - Mass Vaccination Sites
- Vaccine Appointment Guide
- Vaccine FAQ: Vaccine Safety
- Vaccine FAQ in multiple languages
Visitation Guidance
Guidance for DDS Programs
- Residential and Congregate Care Guidance
- Day Program Guidance
- Human Services Transportation Guidance
- Human Services Transportation Plan Checklist
DDS Resources
- Visit the DDS website
- Contact a DDS Area Office
- Interactive DDS Regional Map
- Follow @DDSMass on social media
DDS Commissioner Ryder Message to Families 3/24/21
Massachusetts Homebound Vaccination Program
Guidance on In-Person Learning and Student Learning Time Requirements from the Mass DESE
Guidance on In-Person Learning Requirements - Mass DESE
COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Guidance Congregate Care and Shelter Providers 1/12/21
DDS Commissioner Message to Families 1/13/21
Home-based Healthcare Worker COVID-19 Vaccine - Important Update 1/8/21
Vacuna de COVID-19 para los trabajadores de salud domiciliarios: Actualizaciónimportante del 1/8/21
Staying Safe this Holiday Season: Letter to Families of those in Long Term and Congregate Care Facilities
DDS Safer At Home Information translated into Spanish.
DDS Safer At Home Information. Attached you will find electronic copies of the materials for families including the booklet, a cover letter explaining various uses of the booklet, and a certificate of achievement that families can fill out for their child.
COVID-19 Visual Tool shared by The Brockton Arc. English & Spanish
DDS has posted the following documents on their website:
- DDS residential program visitation guidance updated July 1
- DDS offsite visit attestation form
Letter from the DDS Commissioner/DDS Day Program Reopening Efforts/6/24/20
Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs 6/6/20 - English
Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs 6/6/20 - Vietnamese
Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs 6/6/20 - Russian
Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs 6/6/20 - Haitian
Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs 6/6/20 - Khmer
Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs 6/6/20 - Portuguese
Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs 6/6/20 - Chinese
Visitation Policy for DDS Residential Programs 6/6/20 - Spanish
DDS Commissioner's Message to Families (May 22)
Stop and Shop giving away free seed pods to teach kids how to grow plants during pandemic
Massachusetts Autism Support Centers Coaliton Virtual Programming
Kitchen Conversation: Occupational Therapy at Home - webinar series is hosted by Exceptional Lives
Special education is proving especially challenging with remote learning
Massachusetts Advocates for Children's Weekly Chat: How to address the traumatic impact of the pandemic and help students engage in learning and school - Thursday, May 21, 2020 @ 8:00 PM
Federation for Children with Special Needs - DESE Updates and Planning for School Re-Entry
DDS Commissioner's Message to Families (April 14)
Sesame Street to explain the ABC's of coronavirus in a town hall for parents and kids.
AANE Free Online Q&A: Ask the Social Communications Specialist
COVID-19: Pathways to Friendship: Resources for Social Distancing
AANE Webinar: Transition Planning--Skills that Make a Difference
MAC Weekly Chat: Addressing the Needs of Transition Age Youth During COVID-19 - Thursday, April 30, 2020 at
Webinar – Students on the Autism Spectrum: Going Online
Information about P-EBT, or Pandemic EBT, federal program.
Webinar: Executive Functioning-Everything from A-Z
DDS Commissioner's Message to Families (April 14) - English
DDS Commissioner's Message to Families (April 14) - Spanish
Handling Work from Home and Home Schooling
Paid Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
DTA COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Helping Your Child Manage Anxiety During COVID-19 -
COVID-19 Update: Tools for Families and Advocates Working Towards FAPE
Project Bread FoodSource Hotline
CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS REGARDING SPECIAL EDUCATION
(Revised March 26, 2020 based on United States Department of Education (USED) Supplemental Facts Sheet, released March 21, 2020)
Downloadable Handouts. Update on COVID-19: School Closure and Special Education Rights
DESE Family letter and Resource Toolbox 04.17.2020 – English version
SNAP Food Assistance for Workers who lost hours or job due to COVID-19
MassHealth PPE Program for COVID-19 Positive Members
Autism & Home Schooling Article
MAC Weekly Chat: Special Education and COVID-19
Staying calm while in the chaos of the storm
Lifeline Program - Subsidized Phone and Internet Service
Contact Governor Baker: Address Biases In COVID-19 Health Care Triage
Lifeline Program - Subsidized Phone and Internet Service
Exceptional Lives is continuing to build resources to support as many families as we can during this pandemic. Their resource page for home-bound families of kids with special needs is now available in both English and en español and updated daily.
Fall River YMCA Mobile Market Registration for Saturday, April 11th from 11am-1pm.
Fall River YMCA Food Mobile Market Registration for 4/11/20
AANE Free Online Q&A: Ask the Neuropsychologist 4/13/20
Free Online Group Chat with AANE Staff: Parents of Teens 4/9/20
MAC's weekly virtual chat for parents of children with disabilities on Thursday, April 9 at 8 pm
Caregivers May Be Eligible For Paid Leave Under COVID-19 Relief Law
Massachusetts Advocates for Children is hosting a Spanish weekly chat series for parents
Anxiety, Autism: Five Prime Suspects – with tips for coping at home during the Coronavirus oubreak
FREE webinars from the Autism Resource Institute
School Closure Meal Information
COVID-19 Special Education Resources
5 ways to activate students' passion during a school closure
Apple highlights apps to help families manage autism amid the coronavirus
CDC’s new digital Coronavirus Self-Checker
DESE hosted a meeting with Special Education Directors and Leaders to discuss remote service delivery options and opportunities. You can find the PowerPoint from the meeting provided by Federation for Children with Special Needs
Federation for Children with Special Needs Covid-19 Needs Survey
Webinar on 4/3 - Update on COVID-19 and Remote Learning: Supporting Students and Families (co-sponsored by SPaN and the Federation for Children with Special Needs)
Stress and Coping - Information from the CDC - English
Stress and Coping - Information from the CDC - Spanish
A letter from Commissioner Jeffrey Riley to parents and guardians. The letter is available in English and Spanish and is captioned on the webpage as Letter to Families about Remote Learning (March 30, 2020.)
Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
Massachusetts Advocates for Children Español/Facebook Page
What are your child’s education rights during the COVID-19 crisis? Keep up-to-date on these important issues, by visiting the website of Massachusetts Advocates for Children
Helpful resources for Parents from the The Children's Trust
Helpful Resources for Family Support Professionals from The Children's Trust
NEW DESE GUIDANCE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND REMOTE LEARNING
Update on COVID-19: School Closure and Special Education Rights
DDS-related resources regarding the the outbreak of COVID-19 in Massachusetts
From linkedin.com - How do you talk about COVID-19 to people with intellectual disabilities?
From DDS, Special Needs Webinars & Resources
Coronavirus and Your Child’s Special Education from wrightslaw.com
How To Talk About COVID-19 With People Who Have Autism from npr.org
Stay informed about Coronavirus from mass.gov
From The Arc of Massachusetts - Please be sure to check this page frequently for updates regarding the impact of COVID-19 on different areas of healthcare, daily life, financial matters, and more.
From Massachusetts Advocates for Children - We've created a COVID-19 Resources page on our new website to bring critical information regarding your child's well-being into one place. Topics include: Special Education; General Education; Children's Issues, and Other Resources (food security, housing, medical support, etc.)
Free Internet Access for 60 days for students (must qualify) from Spectrum
Comcast Announces Comprehensive COVID-19 Response to Help Keep Americans Connected to the Internet
Call 211 - If you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, or other essential services
COVID-19 related information for MassHealth members and applicants.
Autism Society of America released COVID-19 toolkit webpages, which offer specific guidance and resources surrounding mental health, respite care, modifying routines, lifestyle supports, education, and public policy efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
From Boston.com - Our ultimate guide to hunkering down
Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in PreSchool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
The First 8 Steps for Tackling This Quarantine for Families Affected by Autism
Coping with the Coronavirus for Dogowners
Autism Survival Toolbox Essentials Parents MUST Have by Linda Hodgdon, M. Ed., CCC-SLP
Discover Calm | The App for Meditation
Calming Visuals w/Music: 4k Aquarium for Relaxation
Calming Visual w/Music: Autism "Sand" Sensory Visual Therapy
Calming Visual with Music: Calming Sensory Ball