Current Events & ASD

The following resources are intended to provide resources for families to help explain current events to autistic individuals or others with visual learning styles.

Visual Supports for DECS ALiCE Drills (Lockdown/ Evacuation):

Resources for adults:

Race

Talking About Race with Young Children - NPR Podcast episode

Sesame Street: The Power of We

Your Kids Aren't Too Young To Talk About Race: Resource Roundup

Book lists -

30 Books to Help You Talk to Your Kids About Racism

20 Picture Books for 2020: Readings to Embrace Race, Provide Solace, and Do Good

Mass Shootings

National Association of School Psychologists, "Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers"

National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, "Talking to Children About Terrorist Attacks and School and Community Shootings in the News"

National Child Traumatic Stress Network, "Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting," and "Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event"

The New York Times, "An Age-by-Age Guide to Talking to Children About Mass Shootings"

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, "Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters," and "Incidents of Mass Violence"

Traumatic Events

• How to Talk About Traumatic Events and Tragedies (MDE)

• Helping Youth after Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (NCTSN)

• Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Disasters and Other Traumatic Events (NIMH)

• School Climate, Safety, and Crisis (NASP)

• What To Say To Kids When The News Is Scary (NPR)

• Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma (Child Welfare Information Gateway)

• National Geographic, "When Upsetting Current Events Shake Kids' Worlds"

• Understood, "Having Hard but Necessary Conversations"

Additional resources can be found on the Resources to Help Educators, Adults Respond to Racism, Violence and Trauma webpage.