Covid19 and DS/Special Needs
Service Updates
ACCESS Behavioral Health:
Is accepting referrals for mental health services via telehealth. Call: 800/491-9099
California Children’s Services (CCS):
CCS Medical Therapy Units are currently closed; however, therapists are providing OT and PT services via telehealth as well as evaluations for DME via telehealth. Call: 510/208-5970
Family Resource Navigators (FRN):
Is supporting CCS families and CYSHCN seeking support with resources during the pandemic. Families can email info@familyresourcenavigators.org and will receive a response within 24 hours.
Regional Center of the East Bay:
Is still taking referrals. Providers and families can call the main number at 510/618-6100 during regular business hours. Offices are currently closed to the public.
Medi-Cal:
By Governor’s order, beneficiaries have been granted presumptive eligibility during the public health emergency, and children (and adults) who are unable to complete their Medi-Cal redeterminations during this time will retain their Medi-Cal throughout the emergency. The redetermination will be conducted after the emergency is over. If a child loses Medi-Cal during the emergency, the family should contact Alameda County Social Services at 888-999-4772 or 510-263-2420 or call the state Medi-Cal Member and Provider Helpline at 1- 800-541-5555 to correct the error.
Covered California:
Open enrollment has been extended through June 30, 2020 and anyone who is eligible for coverage through Covered CA can sign up through June. Information at https://www.coveredca.com/individuals-and-families/getting-covered/application-process/.
Distance Learning for Children with Disabilities
With a shift to distance learning due to COVID-19, groups that advocate for and support children with disabilities collaborated to launch a site with curated tools, strategies, tips and best practices for supporting students with disabilities online. Listed below are those resources provided by Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF):
Link to “Educating All Learners”: https://www.educatingalllearners.org/
New CDE guidance on School Closures: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/specialedcovid19guidance.asp
DREDF Special Edition on COVID -19:
https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=7449329e89
DREDF Special Edition March and April, 2020:
https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=7449329e89
https://us2.campaignarchive.com/?u=d8372142072c8ce7f2e90e349&id=1c7feb519c
Sample letter to request distance learning support:
https://files.constantcontact.com/aa0639b6001/02a47e06-6976-4f54-961f-9eb16a44a867.pdf
Sample letters from DREDF to request IEP meeting during distance learning:
https://dredf.org/special-education/sample-letters/
The Help Me Grow staff is available to support families with referrals to these and other resources. Families can email Help Me Grow at helpmegrow@first5alameda.org or call the phone line at 888/510-1211 and leave a message. Calls are returned regularly.
Advocate for the needs of your child with special needs through the Arc of California
Helping Your Child with Special Needs Tolerate a Mask
Resources and tips for families
While some developmental and behavioral conditions can make it difficult for children to tolerate wearing a mask, many can learn to do this through the use of social stories, role play, and practicing at home.
Here are some tips and resources to help children learn to wear a mask
Put a mask on a favorite stuffed animal. Act out the trip to the doctor using the stuffed animal and praise the toy for wearing their mask.
Gradually have your child wear the mask for a longer and longer period of time. Start with 5 seconds at a time, then 10 seconds and increase from there until they can wear it for 5 or more minutes without taking it off.
Parents can practice at home too by wearing a face covering around the house to normalize the look.
Take selfies so that kids can see how they look. Use video calling with family and friends while wearing the mask so others can give them positive comments as well. “Wow, you’re doing a great job wearing your mask.” “You look like a superhero!”
Print out pictures or find pictures online of their favorite characters wearing masks. If there aren’t any, print out a regular picture and draw a mask together on the character.
Allow your child to dress up to match their mask. If they want to be a superhero in a cape or costume for the day, let them.
You can offer a small reward for wearing the mask if necessary, such as a treat, screen time or a special book to read. Set an expectation ahead of time for how they can earn the reward. Be sure to practice at home ahead of time.
Social Stories:
Wearing a mask: https://www.autismresourcecentral.org/social-stories-for-young-and-old-on-covid-19/masks-soc-story/
I can wear a mask: https://www.ucucedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/I-Can-Wear-a-Mask-Social-Story_FINAL.pdf
Seeing other people wearing masks: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B2FEF1DTXpmgH8ZL79Vg7E_Bu7ZOkB0A/view?blm_aid=32695
Wearing a mask to school: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R1lSbfZ8TRchbHCiK_4svK7WLH62lSIH/view?blm_aid=32695
Masks and Gloves https://consciousdiscipline.s3.amazonaws.com/Free-Resources/Printable-Posters-Tools-Activities/FREE-Printable-Masks-and-Gloves-Social-Story.pdf
Videos:
Why we wear masks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnP-uMn6q_U
How to help kids feel comfortable wearing a mask: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=175693820478070
Tips for helping kids get used to masks:
Down Syndrome and Coronavirus
Currently we do not have much information about coronavirus in DS
It appears that, like for anyone else, the risk is greater in older people
The Down syndrome medical interest group is sharing information from the ground, and we are trying to figure out how to formally track data to soon be able to provide more scientifically sound information about Covid and DS
In general: It is important to adhere strictly to social/physical isolation guidelines
Avoid gatherings – only spend time with your immediate family unit that lives under your one roof.
Wash your hands frequently, for 30 seconds, with soap that foams
Redirect your child if when they touch their face – this, of course, is very hard
Disinfect surfaces in common areas often
If your family member with Down syndrome is an adult living away from home, check in with them often, ensure that they have food/cleaning supplies/medication refills, review what to do if they felt sick.
This is difficult for me to mention, but necessary: parents should make a plan for what would happen if they became sick or passed away.
DSMIG, NDSS, NDSC, Global DS Foundation, Lumind and others collaborated on the document below
Please read and share widely
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Covid 19 Vaccine Info
Covid19 Vaccine and DS - March 2021 - The Lucky Few Podcast
Covid19 Vaccine - Dr Monica Gandhi for OUSD
Covid19 Vaccine - Things to Know (handout)
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Covid19 and DS
March 2020 - The Lucky Few Podcast
Podcasts on Down syndrome and Covid19
The Down syndrome clinic of Western Pennsylvania's medical director, Kishore Vellody, hosts a podcast on topics related to Down syndrome and health.
Episodes 68 and 70 are on Coronavirus
with Dr Andrew Nowalk, pediatric infectious disease specialist
<--Check them out here
From the 4.17.2020 Matthew Foundation Webinar on DS and Covid
Medical Information
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Strategies for Home Instruction for Children with Specialized Learning Needs
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Resources for individuals with DS during Shelter in Place from the DS program at MGH
The Down syndrome program at Massachusetts General Hospital has shared tons of resources for families
<-- You can check out their resources here
Safe re-entry for people with Down syndrome back into communities
The DS clinic at MGH clinic put together a Q&A document about some common questions as the country "reopens"
When is it safe for my loved one to return into the community?
When can my loved one visit grandparents or other close family members?
My loved one with Down syndrome won’t wear a mask. What can I do?
My loved one with Down syndrome is a hugger. He/She has a hard time understanding social distancing. What can I do?
How do I prepare my loved one with Down syndrome to get a COVID-19 test?
How can I prevent my loved one from getting COVID-19 during the next wave?
You can find the document linked at https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=091e3808ad727b47f62136992&id=1873e63bda
Worried you may get sick and become unable to care for your son or daughter? The Arc of California can help you make a plan
Resources for Children with Autism
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