There is a great deal of information about the Coronavirus being released every day that can make it hard to keep up to date, and many changes in daily routines have taken place in a short period of time. With schools now closing, children will be aware that something is different and potentially something is happening outwith their control. This can make it difficult for parents and carers to know what our children understand about COVID-19 and to know what to say to them.
On this page you will find resources and information to help you support your child with additional support needs, but there will also be lots of information that is relevant and you can use from our Parent and Cares page here, and our Children and Young People’s page here so please take a look.
General Information
These resources contain websites and links that have a lot of information and resources to help with talking about COVID-19, school closures
Scottish Autism a have developed a number of posters and guides to help discuss COVID-19 with children. These can be found at:
The Sensory Projects has a massive list of resources that can be explored by parents to help them provide sensory activities during the time of school closure. Lots of great ideas can be found by clicking here:
Autism Fourth Valley have a Facebook page with lots of useful resources which you can find here. They recently shared some useful resources put together by PLUS which may help families bring some routine to their day.
Social Stories and Visuals
Please find here lots of visual ways to help your child understand about COVID-19, understand the school closure and help them remain calm. These may be useful for your child if they prefer things more visual or already use visual resources every day at home and school.
NHS Forth Valley Speech and Language Therapy have put together lots of very useful resources on their Facebook page and these will be update. A really great start for anyone looking for visuals or advice:
Social Stories
Here is a simple social story to help your child understand school closure and the Coronavirus:
Carol Gray has also written a useful document that helps parents to tell their child about the Coronavirus, washing hands and school closures.
This social story by Autism Speaks is a great way to talk to your child about getting ill, washing hands, sneezing and good hygiene. Click to open:
For older children, teenagers and those who like comic books here is a comic visual talking through the do’s and don’ts around the Coronavirus. Click to open:
The School Closure Toolkit aims to help support your child at home during this time of uncertainty. For a child with autism, visual supports can help to decrease anxiety and increase independence across all settings. This toolkit provides you with all that you will need to help structure your child’s day at home, no matter his/her age.
Visual Timetables/Schedules
A Visual Daily Schedule may help your child
