Helping Kids with Autism Adjust to Life After COVID-19

Trying to understand and navigate a world that's suddenly changed overnight. That's what kids with autism and their families have been dealing with due to COVID-19. The T-Res project wants to help. They're creating an online toolkit to ease the transition back to regular routines as restrictions lift. This isn't just about now, though. The team also wants to see how these changes have affected everyone's wellbeing long-term. COVID-19 has been tough on everyone, but for kids with autism, the sudden changes can be particularly challenging. School closures, social distancing, and mask-wearing can be confusing and stressful. That's why T-Res is focusing on developing resources that parents and educators can use. The autism community is large, with about 1. 5% of students in schools having a diagnosis. That includes the kids, of course, but also their parents, teachers, and other support staff. The impacts of COVID-19 on them could be felt for years. To make sure the resources are useful, T-Res will ask families and experts what they need. This project can start quickly and deliver results fast. Once ready, the tools will be shared widely with those who need them most.