Autism Edmonton enhances the lives of people on the autism spectrum, through knowledge, services and inclusive opportunities.

COVID-19


COVID-19 Information and Resources 

We developed this page to share information on internal and external resources that may be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic, including information specific to the autism community. We will regularly update this page with emerging information, making it easier for you to find content in one place. If we are missing a resource others should know about or if a resource has changed, please let us know.

Last updated on: January 4, 2022

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Autism Edmonton during COVID-19

Self-Care Kits from Autism Edmonton

Health Information

Vaccines

Financial Help

Caregivers Tips

Learning at Home

Staying Active Ideas

Mental Health Resources

Safety at Home

Community Supports

 

Autism Edmonton during COVID-19

 

Update: Autism Edmonton Programming and COVID-19 Safety Measures 

The health and safety of our members and staff is our top priority. Autism Edmonton continues implementing the Safety Protocol in alignment with the Alberta Health Services recommendations. The changes we’re making are to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

With a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution and care for our community, Autism Edmonton will be implementing some programming changes:

  • Our office is closed to walk-in visitors. We are still available to answer your questions and connect by phone or email. Our hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. For support services, please call 780-453-3971 ext. 1. Our full
    directory can be found at www.autismedmonton.org/contact. 

  • All support groups and the League events are shifting to virtual activities. 

  • Occasio programming for children and youth is cancelled for the next two weeks (until January 16, 2022).

  • Pantry Food Program pickups can be booked for Thursdays only (curbside pickups; please call 780-453-3971 ext. 1 in advance to request food hampers).

  • Advocacy Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers - Back to School During COVID 

Self-Care Kits from Autism Edmonton

“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
- Eleanor Brownn
From breathing techniques to tips to design your workspace, our self-care kits are filled with activities and resources to support your overall well-being on a day-to-day basis.

Health Information

To Protect Yourself and Others, Alberta Health Recommends:

  • cover coughs and sneezes
  • avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
  • ensuring their proper social distance - remain two meters apart or about the length of a hockey stick
  • use good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing
  • if you have symptoms, stay home and call Health Link 811 for instructions, as well as use the COVID-19 Online Assessment Tool
For more information, please visit the Government of Alberta website or Health Canada.

Vaccines

  • Low-stimulation vaccination sites are important for our community, and we appreciate the Alberta Health Services' support in creating options for people who need a quieter environment.
    "Sensory processing challenges might lead to decreased participation in the vaccine rollout and so ensuring that people have access to plenty of appointment times and the ability to access clinics where they can manage to get the vaccine with as little discomfort as possible would be certainly a benefit to the entire program," said Melinda Noyes, executive director of Autism Edmonton.
    A low-stimulus clinic for the Edmonton region is located in Spruce Grove. Please call 811 to book an appointment. (NEW)

Financial Help

Have you been laid off? Are you self-employed and your work has been impacted by the pandemic? Are you caring for children and have to stay home? CBC News has created this helpful hub guide to answer your questions about benefits that are relevant to you: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/coronavirusbenefits/

  • Free Delivery Programs
    • Bag-Half-Full: Free delivery organized by UAlberta medical students to help support elderly and immunocompromised community. You pay for groceries online, or provide a grocery list (and grocery funds), students will deliver your order. Online form or call 780-952-7101 or 780-297-7800
    • Fly & Fetch: Fetchers willing to pick up and deliver groceries for free or a small fee. Each fetcher has info on their weekly schedule and area in the city they can serve
    • Fresh Routes: If you are in isolation and are unable to get food, Fresh Routes delivers food baskets at no to low cost depending on eligibility. For help, call Steve 403-249-8350
    • Helping Hands delivery program: Free delivery for grocery and personal essentials for seniors and those unable to leave home. Call 587-785-7749
    • Men in Kilts: Free delivery, helping those who cannot leave their home due to increased risks or have no other help available to them. Send requests edmonton@meninkilts.com.

Caregivers Tips

For families and caregivers, the COVID-19 pandemic has made life quite challenging these days. Parents have to juggle the added responsibility of working from home with the demands of childcare and homeschooling their children at the same time. For many families of children on the autism spectrum, this is especially hard, because it means sudden disruptions to their routines that can be difficult to manage.

For a child on the autism spectrum to relax, it is often necessary to introduce new daily routines. Every step of the daily routine should be predictable. We use visual schedules for this purpose.

Learning at Home

A sudden, nationwide shift to homeschooling presents special challenges for autistic learners. Here are a few ways to support their needs: https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/science-and-technology/2020/03/teaching-tools-parents-of-autistic-children

New to homeschool? Don’t be too hard on yourself. Allow time to adjust. Here are some more tips for teaching your kids at home. (PDF)

Alberta Education Helpline for Parents During COVID Pandemic: Parents can reach the help line by calling 780-422-6548 (toll-free by dialing 780-310-0000, followed by the 10-digit phone number) or by emailing studentsupport@gov.ab.ca. Additionally, more than 4,000 curriculum resources to support parents and students are available on the LearnAlberta.ca website. School authorities have also made various resources available on their own websites. (NEW)

Caregiver Education & Tools:

Staying Active Ideas

Recreational Resources Online:

Free Fitness Resources:

Mental Health Resources

Mental health can be equally as important to take care of in these difficult times.

Safety

Community Supports

211 Alberta - Resources for COVID-19 in Alberta: A provincial directory of community, health, social, and government organizations and services. Contains up-to-date information on services affected by COVID-19.
 

DISCLAIMER: Autism Edmonton does not endorse any service or organization listed on this page. This page is intended only to help families and individuals navigate their options for services.

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