Autism

The following links will provide you with general strategies, visual supports, activities, and community resources for your student with autism.

Talking to your student about school closure and the coronavirus:

• Talking with Children about Coronavirus

• 5 ways to help children with the coronavirus anxiety

• University of Miami – NSU video teaching story on COVID-19

• Social Story About School Closure

• Coronavirus Social Story

• Secondary/Adult Coronavirus Social Story

• Social Distancing Social Story

• Secondary/Adult Social Distancing Social Story

• Handwashing Video Modeling

Strategies, Visual Supports, and Activities

• Managing the Coronavirus as an Individual with ASD or Caregiver Webinar - check out the recorded webinar from the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (K-CART). A panel of psychologists and parents share expert guidance and tip as well as provide practical examples for structuring life during school closure.

• Some Great Tips to Help Kids With Autism Cope During the Coronavirus Quarantine - check out this advice from Temple Grandin.

• Supporting Individuals with Autism Through Uncertain Times - a module that provides support strategies, as well as, examples and ready-made to help caregivers implement these strategies quickly and easily.

• The School Closure Toolkit - helps families structure their time at home during school closure.

• Supporting All Learners - a resource for Families and Caregivers of Children with Special Needs. Provides strategies, printables, and links to online resources.

• Boardmaker Activities - free, downloadable, printable activities for students in K-12. Designed for parents, educators, speech language pathologists, behavior specialists, and others across home, school, and clinic settings. Includes three levels of materials for students from beginners to those who are working on developing some independent skills.

• Boardmaker Online - sign-up for a 30-day free license to Boardmaker Online to use an entire collection of ready-made, online lessons including the comprehensive English Language Arts program called Reading Avenue.

• Tips for Parents Teaching Students at Home - check out this short video on helpful strategies to use with your student.

• The Autism Helper - Supporting Sensory Needs at Home

Community Supports - please understand that supports maybe affected by COVID-19.

• Community Developmental Disabilities Organization (CDDO) - oversees eligibility determination for the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) waiver. They work with people toward admission to needed I/DD services. They provide information and referral services. Gatekeeping for people living in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) who wish to access community services. They collaborate with affiliated agencies to ensure person centered and quality service delivery

  • Brochure

  • Eligibility for Services and Support

  • Application Packet

• TARC - provides supports for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some services include: assistive technology, case management, children's services, and a feeding clinic.

• Capper Foundation - provides supports to individuals with disabilities. Some services include: speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, and behavior support.

• Topeka Area Autism Network (TAAN) - get connected to other families with students with autism on Facebook and collaborate on ways to help your student.