Perkins School for the Blind Transition Center

Archive for the ‘Coronavirus / COVID-19’ Category

Maintaining Best Outcomes for Students in a Congregate Care Setting Amidst a Pandemic

COVID-19 posed immediate and unprecedented challenges to organizations providing intensive behavioral services in a congregate care setting to children and adolescents diagnosed with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The evolving discoveries about the novel virus and how to combat...

Coping During COVID-19: Strategies to Reinforce Executive Functioning Skills During Times of Change

As the world enters a perpetual state of “new normal” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, previously developed routines and coping skills may not be readily accessible - or may not work at all. Along with the closing of many schools and workplaces, drastically changing societal norms,...

Talking to Individuals with Autism About COVID-19

“If you are caring for a child or loved one with autism, it is important to speak with him or her about COVID-19 to ensure they have the information and resources they need – without causing unnecessary worry and anxiety.” - Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Senior Vice President and...

Addressing the Psychological Fallout of The Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic in the United States has led to great efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and to prevent fatalities. But the problems that people will face due to the pandemic will go beyond medical issues. In addition, it will be important to address a variety of psychosocial...

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Preparation Tips for Families Affected by Autism

As Chair of the New York State Assembly’s Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders, with the help of fellow board members of the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), we have gathered some tips and suggestions to keep in mind with the rise of COVID-19...

Be Mindful, Be Present, Be You: How to Handle Crisis Anxiety

With the world around us a chaotic mess, it is getting harder and harder to avoid becoming a giant, swirling, ball of anxiety. The current pandemic has disrupted our lives and the world as we know it is on hold for the foreseeable future. It has interrupted routines, forced schools to close, and...

COVID-19: Helping Families With Special Needs During a Public Health Crisis

As a mother of a daughter with autism and intellectual disabilities, as well as a professional in the human services field, I am all too familiar with the unique challenges facing families of individuals with special needs. The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic brings additional worry. In these...