Parent and Family Resources to Empower Children with Autism During Self-Isolation

Online learning

Like so many parents across the world, you may have recently found yourself thrust into a new role: your child’s educator. While textbooks and duotangs may be required for some lessons, they will only hold your child’s attention for so long! Here’s a comprehensive list of free websites and applications that involve fun games and interactive challenges that your child can indulge in while developing a variety of skills in literacy, math, and sciences!
Online Learning Resources

Hone in on your child’s skills

With your child out of the classroom, you have the perfect opportunity to ditch the appeal-to-the-masses curriculum and hone in on your child’s natural skills and interests. Making a personalized curriculum for your child doesn’t have to be complicated. This website allows you to view free worksheets and activities to use based on the desired developmental area. There are also suggestions of free apps for both iPad and Android tablets. Some of these applications range from storytelling, phonics tracing, math games, and social narratives to help children understand the current pandemic.
Skill Development Resources

Game night

Who doesn’t love a family game night? Games are a great way to get everyone interacting and involved in the fun. When families indulge in their favourite games, children experience plenty of engagement, interaction and laughter. And to top it all off, it allows us to expand our communications skills. Monopoly, Guess Who, and Snakes and Ladders are some of our favourites!
Communication Development Games

Discuss what’s going on

Proloquo2Go and other AAC tools can be used to talk about the abstract concept of the coronavirus. The systems use terminologies and symbols applicable to children’s understanding, without having to explain the complexities such as pandemic and isolation. These resources help to best lessen their anxieties and help them better comprehend what is happening throughout the world and why safety measures such as self-isolation were put into place.
Covid-19 Communication Resources

There’s an App for that!

There’s an app for almost anything you can think of and or need. This site allows you to search for applications and websites based on various categories and or skill development required. It breaks down types of applications based on age criteria, communication, math, behavioral and music skills to name a few. The link also shows reviews on the given resource, and whether or not it’s available for free!
Online Apps

Parent support

Being a parent, especially to a child on the autism spectrum, is a lot of work at the best of times. Throw in an international pandemic, the stress of self-isolation, and the disruption in routine, it’s absolutely normal to feel overwhelmed! Autism Canada has compiled a list of resources to assist parents and caregivers of children on the spectrum such as free books, Facebook forums, youtube channels, and more.
Parent Support & Resources