About Us:The HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training & Resource Center’s mission To provide unique learning opportunities designed to improve understanding of the process and ability of working with individuals with ASD and a range of other developmental and behavioral challenges through hands-on and coaching experiences and building bridges of information, resources and collaboration across family, educational, medical and community systems.
The novel coronavirus or COVID19 has spread so that the World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic. This can cause anxiety in anyone. The following social narrative can help you work with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other related disabilities to feel more confident and prepared wearing a mask or seeing others wearing masks.
Materials provided are examples only! They may need to be individualized to meet the particular needs of a person with an ASD!
To Make:1. Read through the social narrative.
2. Modify it, if needed.
3. Print out the social narrative.
4. Laminate the social narrative.
5. Cut the pages in half along the black lines.
6. Use a ring or other means to put the pages together into a mini-book.
7. Optional: print out the more compact version and read together.
To Use:1. Create a quiet time to sit with the individual.
2. Explain it is time to read a story.
3. Read the story (or have the individual read the story).
4. Answer any questions, if the individual has any.
5. Review the story multiple times prior to encountering the challenging situation.
6. Also, have the story available for reference during the challenging situation.
To Learn More: Î How-To Template: Social Narratives
Î Strategy in Practice: Hand Washing Schedules
Strategy In Practice: Coronavirus Social Narratives HANDSinAutism.iupui.edu
Others are Wearing MasksThere are people getting sick with the coronavirus. Many people are wearing masks to keep themselves and those around them safe and to not spread germs.
It may look scary or feel uncomfortable for me to see people wearing masks.
It is okay! These people are just like me under their masks.
People are wearing many different kinds of masks. Some are cloth, some are reusable and others are disposable—all masks are to keep people safe.
It may be harder to tell how someone is feeling if they are wearing a mask—I may not know if they are happy, sad or angry. This is okay! I can ask them how they are feeling if I am unsure.
If I am still feeling uncomfortable around people wearing masks, I can do some things to feel better.
Î I can talk to a someone I trust
Î I can take deep breaths to stay calm
Î I can remember that underneath the mask they are still a person just like me
Î I can ask questions if I need to know something like how they are feeling
Some people may not be wearing masks. This is okay too. There are many reasons why they may not have a mask on and I only need to worry about myself.
Whether people are wearing a mask or not wearing a mask I should keep 6 feet away to help keep germs from spreading.
Masks are one way people are working together to keep everyone safe. Seeing others wear masks may look scary or feel uncomfortable, but keeping people safe is important and it will be okay.
Strategy In Practice: Coronavirus Social Narratives HANDSinAutism.iupui.edu
Wearing My MaskThere are people getting sick with the coronavirus. Many people are wearing masks to keep themselves and those around them safe by not spreading germs.
I also need to wear a mask when I leave my home, even if I feel healthy. It may be uncomfortable to wear a mask at first. This is okay.
I can practice wearing a mask at home to get used to it.
There are many types of masks, some are from a store and some made at home. Both kinds of masks can help keep germs from spreading when I am around other people who don’t live with me.
I should always wash my hands before putting my mask on.
When I wear a mask, I need to leave my mask in place. My mask should cover my chin, mouth and nose. I should not touch my mask after putting it on. This will help keep germs from spreading.
I can ask someone else to help me get my mask in place or adjust my mask so that it fits best.
I should always wash my hands after taking my mask off.
If my mask is made from cloth, I should wash it when I am done with it. If my mask is not washable, I should throw it away and use a new mask when I am going to be around other people.
Practicing wearing my mask will make it feel more comfortable.
Wearing a mask keeps myself and others around me safe!
Strategy In Practice: Coronavirus Social Narratives HANDSinAutism.iupui.edu
