In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the day-to-day challenges facing autistic people and their families. Those challenges get far more intense during disasters.
In the United States, public schools are responsible for a variety of services for youths on the spectrum. When they suspend classes, problems follow.
From Autism Speaks:
If your local school district closes during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, you may be faced with a number of obstacles. For children with autism, the school closure may mean disruption to learning support services your child receives at school.
Some states, such as New Jersey, have published guidance for school districts to being preparing a school health-related closure preparedness plan. This plan would outline how learning would be continued, and what tools they would use to accomplish it, in the event of a school closing.
The World Health Organization also published an action kit for families and schools for COVID-19 related closures.
Other states, including Ohio, have published several checklists to help individuals/families, business, healthcare workers and others prepare.
As always, please call our Autism Response Team at 1-888-AUTISM2 or email help@autismspeaks.org for questions and access to tools, resources and supports. For information specific to the coronavirus and the most up-to-date information on the situation, please visit CDC.gov and the CDC’s coronavirus information site.
