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):


  • 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:

Videos:

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

EXPANDED COVID FINAL.pdf

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)

Vaccine_info_sheet_sml.pdf

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

Covid19 and Down syndrome.pptx

Strategies for Home Instruction for Children with Specialized Learning Needs

Managing_School_at_Home.pptx

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

Click here to get to The Arc of California Center for Future Planning

Resources for Children with Autism

Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertian Times Full Packet.pdf