Dear Hcis,
Summer is usually a time for family vacations, summer camps and outdoor excursions - but this season will be different for millions of people affected by autism and their families. Camps are being cancelled or reprogrammed so campers can attend virtually, while many travel concerns remain in place. These changes create added challenges for the autism community to engage in social activities or enjoy typical summer routines. As we navigate this new way of living, the Autism Society of America continues to provide relevant information for individuals with autism and their families.
Thanks to the continued financial support from you and others, we have been able to maintain a constant flow of resources and support to the autism community as we endure the COVID-19 pandemic together.
A mother recently reached out stating her "stress is high" since she lost her job during the pandemic, and is caring for her three kids with autism who have been quarantined for months together. This woman, and so many other caretakers and families, are juggling the roles of parent, teacher, therapist, service provider and more, with limited time to search for information and support.
The Autism Society continues to help families like this by providing resource lists for activities, virtual experiences, and social stories to help individuals with autism understand the changes around them. More than 85,000 people have accessed our COVID-19 toolkit, and downloaded our resources. Our social story, "Keeping Friends Safe" explains how summer playtime will be different this year through plain language and visual cues.
For over 55 years, the Autism Society of America has been recognized as the premier organization for all affected by autism. As we prepare for the future, we also must take care of the here and now. COVID-19 has created great financial challenges for the Autism Society, and we are committed to being prudent stewards of the very limited resources we have.
But we need your help. Will you please make a donation today in support of our invaluable work?
The Autism Society will continue to lead the charge as we provide educational resources for routine adaptations, at-home supports, and protocols for staying safe in a community-based setting. We will continue to advocate for additional federal resources to support autistic individuals during this pandemic. Our efforts at the state and local level will be ongoing as we ensure that the equipment and service needs of all affected including those with higher support needs and residents of group homes are taken into consideration. Please help us remain an unparalleled resource for the autism community.
We thank you for your committment to inclusivity, your advocacy for change, and your support as we continue to navigate this crisis together. Stay safe, be well, and know that we are stronger together.
Sincerely,
Christopher Banks
President & CEO
Access our COVID-19 toolkit, or download COVID-19 related social stories; for those needing support, visit www.autism-society.org or please contact our National Helpline at 1(800)3-AUTISM, or via email at info@autism-society.org.
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Autism Society
6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 305
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
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