For the 1 to 2-percent of Americans with autism, predictability and a consistent routine are vital. As COVID-19 upended all aspects of our daily lives, it has been a source of uncertainty for people with autism and their caregivers.
The HANDS in Autism Interdisciplinary Training & Resource Center at IUPUI acknowledged how the pandemic could impact people with autism and launched a Coronavirus Hub for educators, families, and medical professionals to assist them in helping these individuals and their caregivers cope with the effects of this uncertain time.
“We are always trying to help people understand how people with autism process – how they rely on consistency and structure, and how changes to their routine impact them,” said Naomi Swiezy, the center’s director and Alan H. Cohen Family Professor of Psychology at the IU School of Medicine. “Now our whole world is different, and everyone can relate. The uncertainty and unpredictability we are all feeling now is what it is like for people with ASD every single day and in every part of their life.”
To help individuals cope with changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the center has made a variety of resources freely available online, including downloadable templates, informational handouts, and online consultation and training.
People with autism often understand visual information better, and the tools available in the Coronavirus Hub are geared towards helping them process what is happening in the best way possible. Social narratives, similar to stories that can be read to people with autism, cover a variety of COVID-19 topics, such as staying healthy and visiting the doctor. Downloadable templates for daily schedules and how to wash hands are also available.
“These resources are important in that they align with best practices and are immediately accessible, practical and usable in helping individuals and families put these practices into action as needed,” Sweizy said.
The center has long offered in-person trainings, but leadership and staff have been working diligently to convert all trainings and events into virtual formats to better engage and support the individuals and caregivers who need assistance during this time of social distancing. Many virtual activities and events are currently available.
