A Guide for Families and Educators

Supporting Children with Autism During COVID-19

By: Reading Rockets

In this guide for parents and educators of children with autism, you'll find resources to help support literacy and social and emotional issues at home. You'll also find information for special services providers and online courses for families and educators.

Elementary student working on schoolwork on computer at home

Distance Learning for Children with Autism During COVID-19

Get tips from parents, teachers, and autism experts. Watch videos >

Resources and information that you'll find here

Returning to school

Transitioning Back to School During COVID: Using Visuals and Other Evidence-based Strategies for Children with Autism (Indiana Resource Center for Autism)
Download the toolkit (Indiana Resource Center for Autism)

Preparing for Back to School During a Pandemic

As students prepare to return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents have questions about how to help loved ones on the spectrum cope with social distancing, distance learning, and ongoing change. From the Autism Research Institute.

Guides and toolkits

Instructional Modules

To help families cope with the sudden loss of professional support precipitated by the lockdown, the Center of Excellence for Autism Spectrum Disorders and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (InovAND) has created more than 30 instructional modules designed to provide resources, counsel, information, lessons, schedules and overall aid to families at home. See all instructional modules

Sample modules:

Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times

This toolkit that provides user-friendly, evidence-based resources for people supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The toolkit was developed by experts from the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, the UNC School of Education, and the UNC School of Medicine's Department of Allied Health Sciences. Also available in Spanish and eight other languages.

Download full guide

Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Yale's Guide for Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

A comprehensive guidebook that includes a collection of helpful, targeted resources for parents, from the Yale Child Study Center.

Download guide

The Backpack Connection Series

The Backpack Connection Series provides a way for teachers and parents/caregivers to work together to help young children develop social emotional skills and reduce challenging behavior. The series includes handouts in four categories: addressing behavior; emotions; routines and schedules; and social skills. Created by the Technical Assistance Center for Social Emotional Intervention (TACSEI) and available in English and Spanish.

See tip sheets

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies for Applied Behavior Analysis: Treatment of Children with Autism during a Pandemic

A collection of tools designed for applied behavior analysis (ABA) providers to assess and reduce health risks related to COVID-19 for the families they serve.

See toolkit

Supporting literacy at home

Teachers and parents can adapt the ideas from these articles to keep kids listening to read alouds, reading independently, and thinking and talking about what they've read.

Using Fascinations to Teach and Challenge
In this video, you'll learn how to take a child’s passion — be it calendars, vacuum cleaners, superheroes, dolphins, detectives, or Ozzy Osbourne — and turn it into a learning support.

Inclusive Literacy Learning
With careful and creative planning, literacy instruction can be adapted to meet the needs of every child. Five ways teachers can provide a literacy education for all learners are offered here.

Supporting the Literacy Development of Students with Autism
Some students identified with autism can participate successfully in whole-class rich literacy experiences, with the right kind of support. Learn about strategies for designing lessons that are appropriate, engaging, and challenging for every learner in the inclusive classroom.

Tell Me About the Story: Comprehension Strategies for Students with Autism
Reading comprehension is often a concern for the teachers of students with autism. The comprehension strategies described in this article may help some students gain comprehension skills and improve their ability to read and communicate about written material.

Do You See What I Mean? Visual Literacy Supports
Visual learners and are best able to understand and remember content when they can see it represented in some way; in other words, they need to “see what we mean.” Three visual supports helpful for teaching and supporting literacy development are described here: picture books, graphic notes, and story kits.

20 Ways to Adapt the Read Aloud in the Inclusive Classroom
These suggestions can work for kids who need to fidget during whole-class instruction, those who need materials to keep focused, and those who require alternative ways of demonstrating attention, engagement, and interest.

Voices from the field

Supporting Students with Significant Needs in Distance Learning

Dr. Nicole Abera, a school leader at a full-time special education day school discusses critical strategies for distance learning with students who have significant needs. Transitioning technology, communicating with parents, establishing routines, prioritizing engagement, and implementing many ways for students to show what they know as learning demands are increased are addressed with illustrative examples.

Transforming the Parent-Teacher Relationship in Remote Learning

Brittany Moser, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coach at Neighborhood Charter Schools, shares a resource aimed at partnering families and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this case study, Brittany shares how her resource, “Tips and Tricks for Remote Learning,” became a foundational launchpad for supporting families in educating their children remotely.

Remote Parent Coaching

This case study describes a virtual Speech and Language Pathology session focused on language and social pragmatics. Clinicians describe working with a kindergarten student with autism and challenges with language. The use of Zoom, online animated story books, and digital manipulatives are described.

Supporting social and emotional issues at home

Autism families share their COVID-19 stories and strategies

The Autism Research Institute asked families to share their stories during the COVID-19. Hear their stories about coping with stay-at-home restrictions during the pandemic.

Utilizing Mobile Technology for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Learn more about apps for communication, routines and schedules, emotional regulation, and social skills as well as information about wearable technology in this resource guide from Verizon.

See apps

Apps for Children with Autism and Aspergers

Well-designed and carefully-chosen apps can support the emotional, communication, organizational, and social needs of kids with autism or Aspergers. We selected a wide range of apps, based on reviews from organizations including Common Sense Media and the Center for Technology and Disability.

See apps

Autism and the Coronavirus: Resources for Families

During the coronavirus crisis, many families who have children with autism spectrum disorder are coping with the suspension of both school and essential services. Additionally, children with autism often have difficulty adjusting to disruption of their routine and environment. The Child Mind Institute’s Autism Center understands the challenges families are facing, and offers resources to help parents and other caregivers support children with autism during this time.

See resources

COVID-19 Visuals and Social Stories (Indiana Resource Center for Autism)

For special services providers

Behavioral therapists

Tips for ABA Services Providers (Child Mind Institute)

Speech-language pathologists

The following resources are provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

School Services, Interrupted: What Parents of Students Receiving Speech and Language Treatment in Schools Should Know During COVID-19 Closures (Also available in Spanish)
Ten Ways Children With Language Disorders Can Maintain Both Physical Distance and Social Connection During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Considerations for Speech, Language, and Cognitive Assessment via Telepractice
5 Steps to Get Started in Telepractice
ASHA Telepractice Checklist for School-Based Professionals
Full resource list for telepractice during COVID-19, including free Perspectives articles, clinical and research-based guidance from the Practice Portal and Evidence Maps, and more.

Webinars and online courses for families

Talking to Kids About Changing Schedules, Altered Plans, and Disruption during COVID-19

Discover ideas for providing compassionate support to individuals on the autism spectrum who are experiencing disruptions and anxiety related to the virus and its impact. From the Autism Research Institute.

Emotional Support for Families During COVID-19 Pandemic

Uncertainty and sudden changes are difficult for all families, but particularly so for some families and individuals experiencing anxiety and autism. Tune in for supportive tips, mindfulness techniques, and positive ideas for managing the stress. From the Autism Research Institute.

Home All Day: Practical Strategies for Supporting Individuals with ASD During 2020 Outbreak

Learn strategies for supporting individuals on the autism spectrum experiencing school closures and changes in routine due to the 2020 outbreak. From the Autism Research Institute.

COVID-19 Virtual Outreach Series

A series of training videos for parents about coping with COVID-19 in the home, developed by the Cincinnati Children's Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Department.

See videos

Visual Supports and Strategies

Children with autism are often visual learners. This course goes step by step through one of the most vital strategies available to support your child. Learn about visual supports and some examples of types of visual supports for free, how to make them, and how to use them. Find web resources and more in this free course from autism expert Dr. Sylvia Diehl.

See visual supports course

Autism Navigator How-To Guide for Families

This interactive web-based course is for families who suspect their toddler has autism or a social communication delay. The program teaches families how to embed strategies and supports into their everyday activities, provides developmental growth charts to help families recognize and monitor meaningful outcomes, and offers a deep video library to illustrate how to promote learning and development for toddlers with ASD.

Webinars and online courses for educators

Navigating a Socially Distanced Classroom for Students with Autism

Due to COVID-19 and new guidelines from state and local health officials, school leaders, teachers and staff are faced with the new challenge of maintaining social distancing at school and in classrooms in the upcoming school year. In this edWebinar, Aimee Dearmon, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA, will discuss the challenges associated with social distancing in school buildings and in classrooms and how to navigate the new guidelines for students with autism and other developmental disabilities. She discusses creative, evidence-based practices for teaching students new routines focused on social distancing, the importance of wearing a mask, and staying healthy through self-care routines. She also provides free visual supports and resources as well as discuss ways to support families in navigating new challenges at home. Viewers will learn strategies and tools that can be used with students in pre-K through post-secondary classrooms. This recorded webinar will be of interest to preK-12 teachers and school and district leaders.

View archived webinar

Autism Navigator for Classroom Success in PreK to 2nd Grade

A self-paced 15 to 20 hour online professional development course with interactive slides and practical video examples. It is designed to increase the capacity of preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade teachers, special educators, therapists, special area teachers, and school staff to support children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the classroom and school environment. This course presents an overview of how the unique characteristics of autism may impact a child’s school experience and offers an evidence-based framework for supporting active engagement and positive behavior in a variety of settings and teaching contexts. The content will enable teachers to support students with the materials and activities already available in the classroom.

Download course flyer

News headlines

The Unexpected Benefits of Remote Learning for Neurodivergent Students
EdSurge (August 4, 2021)

For this Chicago educator, teaching students with autism means teaching parents when to help and when to back off
Chalkbeat Chicago (February 16, 2021)

How to Help Autistic Students Navigate a Turbulent School Year
Edutopia (February 11, 2021)

Virtual Training Teaches Parents To Manage Autism Behaviors
Disability Scoop (October 27, 2020)

Helping students with autism navigate a socially distanced classroom
eSchool News (September 28, 2020)

Virtual learning a miracle cure for student with Autism (VIDEO)
WTVR CBS 6 (September 24, 2020)

I work with students with autism, and social distancing isn’t always possible. Here’s what we need.
Chalkbeat New York (September 22, 2020)

Tricks to settle your fidgeters, wigglers, and fingernail biters
National Geographic (September 9, 2020)

Zooming in on keeping kids focused
National Geographic (September 3, 2020)

The Most Important Thing Parents of Kids in Special Ed Need to Remember This School Year
Slate (August 5, 2020)

Feeling Forgotten: Students With Special Needs Face Unique Challenges With Virtual Learning.
Georgia Public Radio (August 4, 2020)

Families Of Children With Special Needs Are Suing In Several States. Here's Why.
National Public Radio (July 23, 2020)

Face covering mandates present problems for autistic individuals (video)
KCCI ABC Des Moines (July 20, 2020)

COVID Mask Requirements Creating Challenges For Autism Families
Autism Key (July 17, 2020)

The First Time I Took My Son With Autism Out During COVID-19
Yahoo Life (July 9, 2020)

WSU, MSU professors author autism toolkit to guide centers amid COVID-19
C & G Newspapers (July 7, 2020)

Coronavirus News: See-through masks helping those with autism, hearing loss (video)
ABC7NY (July 5, 2020)

NH father says remote learning poses extra challenge for children with autism (video)
WMUR9 Manchester, NH (June 26, 2020)

Task force creates pandemic toolkit for serving children with autism
The Washington Post (June 24, 2020)

‘I only like mom school’: Why my autistic son thrived during the pandemic school closures
The Washington Post (June 22, 2020)

‘This Has Really Been a Blessing’: For Many Special Needs Students, Learning From Home During Pandemic Has Sparked Surprising Breakthroughs
The 74 Million (May 20, 2020)

Life with an autistic child can be difficult. During a pandemic it can be grueling
STAT News (May 15, 2020)

The Extra Burden for Parents of Children With Special Needs
The New York Times (May 13, 2020)

Will Months of Remote Learning Worsen Students' Attention Problems?
Education Week (May 11, 2020)

5 tips to help parents navigate the unique needs of children with autism learning from home
The Conversation (May 4, 2020)

Meeting the Literacy Needs of Students with Autism: What Do We Know and Where Do We Need to Go?
Inside IES Research (April 29, 2020)

The challenge of distance learning for parents of children with special needs
PBS NewsHour (April 29, 2020)

Autism Amid Uncertainty: Expert Advice for Parents and Teachers
Education Week (April 23, 2020)

How COVID-19 Is Making Daily Life Challenging for Those with Autism
Healthline (April 22, 2020)

Coronavirus tool kit may aid families with autistic children during lockdown
Spectrum News (April 21, 2020)

Temple Grandin Has Some Great Tips to Help Kids With Autism Cope During the Coronavirus Quarantine
Parade (April 3, 2020)

The switch to remote learning could leave students with disabilities behind
PBS NewsHour (March 24, 2020)

COVID-19 Online Learning Solutions Present Challenges For Students With Autism, ADHD
KUNR, Reno, NV (March 17, 2020)

Reading Rockets (2020)

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Comments

Thank you for this post. I work in a special education classroom with K-2 students. It's been very difficult for many of our students to not be able to go in to school during this time. It's been a challenge teaching over the computer and not being able to provide the in person support they need, but these resources are very informative.

I can only imagine how difficult time like these must be for parents who has children with Autism. They are subject to so many different changes to adapt to. Not going to school and wearing masks are just a few. Children with autism don't adjust to changes well. It's stressful not only on the child but the parent, teacher and anyone affiliated with that child. I love the environmental clues that were shown in the video, and daily visual schedule.