The information provided in this newsletter is for reference only. It is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement of organizations, news sources, policies or political parties, or as a comprehensive resource list.
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- COVID-19: Tip Sheets and Resources
- ROCK SOLID - coping strategies for families of children with autism during COVID-19
- Tips for families living with autism during COVID-19 crisis
- HB Alumni Network: Use Holland Bloorview’s new online networking platform to meet, connect with and share information with other clients and families
- BLOOM’s blog on parenting children with disabilities: To subscribe to BLOOM’s monthly e-letter, go to the link and scroll down to the blue banner to input your e-mail
- BLOOM Facebook page
- Family events and workshops during the COVID-19 outbreak: Parents, caregivers, siblings and youth, we want to hear from you - what topics do you want to hear about in the next few months and how do you want to hear about it? Please take 3 minutes to fill out our survey here! Open until May 1st.
Webinars/virtual event series
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital & ECHO Ontario Autism
Join us for the ECHO Ontario Autism Pop-Up Online Series for parents to support your family through the COVID-19
Practical Sensory Strategies for Home
Learn about the eight sensory systems and how they impact a child’s (and our own) behaviour
April 22, 2020 register here
April 29, 2020 register here
Creating Calming Sensory Spaces at Home
Learn how to create sensory spaces (often called sensory modulation spaces) with items you already have at home to help support your child or youth’s emotional regulation.
May 6, 2020 register here:
May 13, 2020 register here
Self-Regulation in Times of Anxiety
Learn about the different domains of self-regulation
May 20, 2020 register here
May 27, 2020 register here
Miles Nadel Jewish Community Centre & Beit Issie Shapiro, Israel
When Technology Meets Communication (April 22): How to use different accessories and apps to allow people with disabilities, from early childhood to adulthood, to communicate effectively in different environments.
Technology for Play & Leisure (April 30): Discuss available products, software, and apps for children and adults with disabilities and how they can be used in various ways and in a range of environments to afford and enhance quality play and leisure time.
Autism Ontario
Live and pre-recorded webinars, virtual family support groups and online OAP information sessions)
People First Ontario, ARCH, Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (HCARDD)
“What’s Up?” Wednesdays: COVID-19 Information in Plain Language
Send in your questions about COVID-19 to help everyone feel well, safe and connected
The Centre for Research and Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims
How is COVID-19 affecting vulnerable populations? On Instagram starting April 15
Be Strong Families
Weekly webinars on COVID-19 support (also available in Spanish)
Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute
Mental health and resilience during COVID-19 (free for the month of April)
Triple – P (Positive Parenting Program)
Parenting tips for parents and caregivers in uncertain times (COVID-19)
Children’s Treatment Centre Simcoe-York *not COVID-specific
Community Learning Library (CLL)
Free virtual learning platform for families and professionals in Simcoe County and York Region
Communication Tools/Protecting your family member
AIDE Canada
Supporting Children and Youth with Autism and Intellectual Disability and their Families during COVID-19
Tips include how to create a ‘care pack’ which outlines a list of care strategies and tools for alternative caregivers in case you are not able to be with your child (for instance, if you were quarantined in a different setting)
Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC)
COVID-19 Communication Rights Toolkit
Resources for those who need communication tools and supports due to speech-related disabilities face greater risks of discrimination and isolation during this pandemic. For example, for safety reasons, your family members and others who help you communicate may not be allowed to join you in the hospital.
Toronto Police Services
Vulnerable Person Registry: share information with police before an emergency or police call takes place.
Online support groups for caregivers and siblings
Autism Ontario
Family support group meeting (April 23)
Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO)
Online peer support group Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Young Caregiver’s online support group (ages 15 - 25, Wednesday evening)
Geneva Centre for Autism
Remote Parent Support Groups
Children’s Treatment Centre Simcoe-York
Virtual caregiver coffee chats (Thursdays)
Canadian Caregiver Network
Huddol - online community network for caregivers
Social/Things to do
Geneva Centre for Autism
Free Online Social Skills Program
ISAND (Integrated Services for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders)
Body Breaks online interactive and movement based group led by an occupational therapist. First class free
Brighton Social Groups
Friday night e-social (FNS-E Social) (ages 13+ and young adults)
Miles Nadel Jewish Community Centre
Daily fitness programming and activities for inclusion and access families
Everyday Friends LIVE! - Every weekday 11:00-11:30AM
For youth 16-30 with developmental disabilities and/or ASD, and open to all.
Contact Effieb@mnjcc.org
Writing Club - Meetings via Zoom every Friday 2:00-2:30PM
For young adults with developmental disabilities and/or ASD
Contact: graces@mnjcc.org
Disability/Visibility- April 19 – June 21
For youth who identify with disability to learn photography
Contact: effieb@mnjcc.org
Citizenship Project - Every Wednesday at noon
A weekly chat about different topics in civics and Canadian society. Participants can propose topics or just tune in to learn.
Contact: rachell@mnjcc.org
BlogTO
10 fun things to do when bored at home during quarantine
Teaching Awareness Through Puppetry
Livestream puppet shows Thursdays @ 11 a.m.
Feelings and emotions about COVID-19 - a puppet show for your young child
Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre
Mindfulness Mondays and Fit Fridays
Legal Information/Local and Provincial COVID-19 Updates
Ontario Government
Ontario COVID-19 cases status updated twice a day, at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET.
City of Toronto
COVID-19 updates
211 Central
Local services that can be accessed during COVID-19
Steps to Justice (formerly known as Community Legal Education Ontario)
Questions related to COVID-19 Employment and Work
Partners for Planning
COVID - 19 FAQ about community supports such as SSAH, OAP and support workers
Understanding COVID-19
Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP)
Fact sheets for COVID-19 testing, self-isolation and self-management(available in other languages)
Ontario COVID-19 website
How to stay safe(available in other languages)
Kids Health
Coronavirus questions and answers for parents
Online books for children explaining COVID-19
- My Hero is you - children’s book on COVID-19
- Coronavirus - a book for children
- How to talk to kids about Coronavirus (available in other languages)
Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (HCARDD)
Easy to understand COVID-19 resources and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families
This e-letter belongs to a set of specialized resources for the COVID-19 and Coronavirus outbreak period. If you are looking for other family resources that have to do with childhood disability, please visitwww.hollandbloorview.ca/resourcecentre
Holland Bloorview’s Grocery Foundation Family Resource Centre is a place where you can find information and resources on childhood disability that are helpful to you and your family. We have information on: respite, recreation, housing, funding, education, parenting and more. All Holland Bloorview workshops and events are listed on www.hollandbloorview.ca/familyevents Questions? Please e-mail resourcecentre@hollandbloorview.ca
