{"id":134,"date":"2020-04-28T15:35:03","date_gmt":"2020-04-28T19:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/alis\/?p=134"},"modified":"2020-04-28T15:35:03","modified_gmt":"2020-04-28T19:35:03","slug":"helping-students-understand-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/alis\/2020\/04\/28\/helping-students-understand-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Students Understand Coronavirus!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"UseVisualStrategies.com\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Autism and Coronavirus: Helping Students Understand<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Facebook<\/a>Twitter<\/a>Pinterest<\/a>LinkedIn<\/a>Email<\/a>Facebook Messenger<\/a>SMS<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s important about Autism and Coronavirus?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do we need to tell students with autism about the Coronavirus? Because most students with autism already know about it. It doesn\u2019t matter if they are young or older. They may have a lot of language or demonstrate limited communication skills. But in some way they probably know something is different. That\u2019s how it works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our students will notice something strange like a person wearing a face mask. They will pick up fragments of information from TV or people talking. Perhaps they sense your anxiety. Or they may even see pictures of people wearing hazmat suits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all creates anxiety. And student anxiety will rise when schools close and the student\u2019s daily schedules and routines change unexpectedly. And that is exactly what may be happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several states have already announced closing schools for several weeks. Probably more will follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you help?
<\/strong>Parents and teachers need to give information <\/strong>to their students. But here is what\u2019s important to understand. Just telling<\/strong> them is not enough. This is a really important time to make it visual<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a conversation book
<\/strong>Creating written conversations is really one of my favorite visual techniques. I\u2019ll describe the procedure here. Of course, you\u2019ll modify it as needed for your child or your student, depending on age and level of understanding. But here it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get a folder or binder or notebook
<\/strong>1. Label it. 
I think books need names.  You can call it The Coronavirus Book. Or call it “Emily’s Book.” Or you or your student may come up with something more creative.  That\u2019s OK. Just give it a name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Have a conversation with the student about the coronavirus. 
But here\u2019s what is important.  Write down whatever you talk about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n