Health Resources
People with Down syndrome are at a heightened risk due to age and/or compromised immune systems. DSIAs number one priority is the safety of the people we serve and our staff. Due to rising concerns related to the local and national spread of the Coronavirus/COVID-19, we have been closely monitoring the situation while planning for how to best keep the community we serve safe in this uncertain time.
The advice at the present is to follow local guidelines in terms of precautions to try to avoid contracting and spreading the virus; this may vary between countries and regions. In general, there are to:
- Be aware of the symptoms which may indicate COVID-19;
- Take basic preventative measures (such as hand-washing);
- Avoid exposure to those known to be affected,
- Take all precautions to protect populations likely to be more vulnerable to serious complications from the virus;
- Follow local regulations in terms of social distancing and isolation.
- Keep informed and follow the advice of your local health authority.
It is important that people with Down syndrome and families have information to help them understand what COVID-19 is, what to look out for, hot to stay safe and what to do if they have symptoms.
Here are some useful resources regarding Health & COVID-19:
We are seeing more and more positive COVID-19 cases of people with developmental disabilities around the state, so, this might be a helpful resource for some who don’t have insurance or don’t have a regular doctor to call with questions. DHCS launched a free, 24/7 Medi-Nurse advice line (877) 409-9052 to answer questions about COVID-19 for anyone who:
- Doesn’t have insurance, or
- Is a Medi-Cal beneficiary but doesn’t have a regular doctor or managed care plan to oversee their care.
The nurses who field the questions can help callers:
- Understand if symptoms might be related to COVID-19
- Determine whether they need to self-isolate
- Decide if they need to see a doctor to get tested and/or treated
- Connect with a Medi-Cal provider who can help them get enrolled
CLICK HERE for the website.
Most people with Down syndrome are at “high risk” for COVID-19 because of certain underlying medical conditions. The Down Syndrome Information Alliance is proud to support an IMPORTANT UPDATED Q&A about Down Syndrome & COVID-19. We strongly recommend you read through this important resource and stay vigilant during this devastating pandemic. CLICK HERE for the update.
Q&A on COVID-19 & Down Syndrome; a Collaboration of the NDSC and National Organizations
COVID-19 & People with IDD: Part 1 –What You Need to Know Webinar
Presentation by Geoffrey Weinberg, MD, Professor – Department of Pediatrics , Infectious Diseases (SMD). Made possible by University of the Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA.
COVID-19 and Down Syndrome: Visitors in Hospitals
One-Stop State Website
“Coronavirus. What is it? How to stay safe.”
Developed in the United Kingdom by Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA)
Developed in the United States by National Down Syndrome Society
Social Stories on COVID-19:
By Alex Snedden from New Zealand
The Autism Educator: What is the Coronavirus?
Carol Gray Social Stories: My Story About Pandemics and the Coronavirus
Plain Language Information on Coronavirus: For people with disabilities, by people with disabilities: English and Spanish.
Family Voices National Resources on Coronavirus
What Do People with Disabilities Need to Know About Coronavirus?
CoronaVirus (C0VID-19): Taking Care of the Children: Six Sets of Resources
LuMind IDSC and other Down syndrome organizations have received inquiries from families about COVID-19 and their concerns for their loved one with Down syndrome. The information is currently evolving and we are closely monitoring current and accurate information surrounding COVID-19. Check out their up to date page here: https://www.lumindidsc.org/T21COVID/
A English and Spanish fact sheet to print or save on your cell phone:
A brief NPR story on the HHS Office of Civil Rights bulletin demanding that the civil rights of people with disabilities be respected when they seek treatment for COVID-19.
Click here to view as a shareable blog post.
e-Learning / Distance Learning Resources
Comcast offering free Internet Essentials Package for 60 days
Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital spoke with Sam Johnston, Ed.D., the Director of Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development at CAST, a non-profit pioneer on universal design for learning. Here are some practical tips for caregivers from Dr. Johnston and their team:
- For your first week quarantined at home, the priority should be teachers, parents, para- professionals, and specialists communicating their presence, not sending out volumes of content. Once your school has established remote learning, request a video chat so that your son or daughter with Down syndrome could see their educators and know that everyone is okay.
- Caregivers could share these practical tips about supporting e-learning for students with intellectual disabilities with their son/daughter’s administrators, special education teachers, general education teachers, and educational technology directors.
- The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials also provides practical solutions for educators.
- The school should provide students with Down syndrome a structure for how communication and e-learning are going to happen. This includes the delivery mechanism, expectations by role, who and when students will be meeting with, what support person at home is needed. It will be important for general education teachers, special education teachers, para-professionals, and specialists to agree to a consistent structure.
- If possible, schools/teachers should give students with Down syndrome and parents a choice in how to participate in both live and not-live communication. (For example, will they use the chat function or raise-hand function if using a virtual conferencing technology such as Zoom?) There should be one primary point of contact at the school for technology-related questions.
- Whether creating a video, connecting with students live, or recording a webinar, each teacher or student should use her/his webcam and have good lighting so users can see them speaking.
- Educators should introduce themselves before they speak and have students do the same. This can help the teacher, paraprofessionals, and students all keep track of the conversation and may also allow teachers and specialists to assess if a student with Down syndrome is experiencing barriers to participation.
- Educators should pace the delivery so that students with Down syndrome have time to digest what is being said or sent.
- Know the educational rights of your son or daughter while they are quarantined. The U.S. Department of Education has developed this comprehensive fact sheet explaining what educational rights are maintained for students with disabilities who have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here is more specific information to Massachusetts-based public schools and a quick breakdown on what this means for most students with Down syndrome.
- In Massachusetts, each district has a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), and most have an online presence on Facebook. This would be another great way to connect with other parents within your district for ideas, support, and resources.
- The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress is also curating a list of educational tools and resources that might be helpful for your family during this pandemic.
All in one post–the US Dept of Ed letter, the OCR letter, FERPA recommendations and much more. https://adayinourshoes.com/coronavirus-and-school-closing…/…
If you have a child with an IEP, and you’re wondering if they will still receive services during an extended school shutdown, here is the information from the US Dept of Ed and guidance from COPAA.
FREE Coronavirus Social Story to help alleviate fears and anxiety many children may be experiencing at this time.
Where school meals in Sacramento region are available during coronavirus closures
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education released on March 17th a webinar on ensuring web accessibility for students with disabilities for schools utilizing online learning during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In addition, OCR published a fact sheet for education leaders on how to protect students’ civil rights as school leaders take steps to keep students safe and secure. These resources will assist education leaders in making distance learning accessible to students with disabilities and in preventing discrimination.
From the Department of Education:
From EdSource:
ONLINE LEARNING AND ACTIVITY RESOURCES DURING COVID – 19
Resources to Support…Distance Learning for Students w/ Autism (Excellent for all students with disabilities.)
My Child Doesn’t Learn Well in Front of a Computer! What Can I Do?
Distance Learning: 8 Tips to Help Your Child Learn at Home
Building Strengths: Pick One Skill for Your Child to Work On at Home