Breaks from your normal life can offer great opportunities for extra fun and relaxed downtime for you and your child with special needs. However, with the coronavirus COVID-19 national emergency dragging on for an untold amount of time, time off can also create challenges for all parents and children. Disruption in your daily routine and an increase in unstructured moments for your child may result in low levels of motivation and higher levels of anxiety and stress. For you as a parent of a child with a disability like autism, these may seem magnified. Below are some helpful tips to help you survive these days during quarantine with your child with special needs.

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Planning for your future financially is a challenge for everyone—but even more so for you if you are a parent of a child with special needs during this time. Many children with special needs are living longer, which puts you as a parent in a dangerous spot: who will take care of your child financially, physically and emotionally, long after you are gone? How do you prepare for your child with special needs’ future as the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic gets worse?

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Children with special needs are bound to have questions about the new coronavirus—COVID-19. Especially with the increasing number of school-closure announcements, and news of the outbreak dominating headlines and social-media platforms, children are likely to be exposed to loads of information (and misinformation). They may react with emotions such as fear, worry, shock and grief. And if you have a child with special needs, he may respond in ways that are difficult to handle. And while we may not be able to shield our children from what is happening, there are plenty of ways to educate them and talk with your child with special needs about coronavirus without causing undue alarm.

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As a parent, you can’t help but worry about the safety of your children. And if you are the parent of a child who has autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another type of disability, it can be extra worrisome as the stories about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) flood the news. What is the risk? How do you protect your child with special needs against Coronavirus?

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In California, parents of children with special needs like autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities can apply for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), a program that provides financial assistance. Granting up to $3,000 per month, it gives you the chance to stay at home as your child’s caretaker, while receiving an hourly wage to take care of your child. Part of the application process is an assessment by a state case representative. But how can you best prepare for the IHSS social worker visit?

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