Dear John,

First, I want to share my sincere hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. As we continue to monitor the evolving situation related to COVID-19, our top priority remains the health and safety of our constituents, our community and our employees. While we’re adapting to new ways of working during this challenging moment, our team is fully operational and committed to working together to support the autism community and fulfill our mission.

The autism community needs this commitment to our mission now, perhaps more than ever. Many people with autism and their families are being directly impacted, seeing disruptions in services and coping with the uncertainty of what comes next. The support of our entire community is crucial during these trying times – enabling us to reach individuals and families with the resources they need. 

That’s why I want to share a few updates with you on how we are working to provide resources to our families:

• We have created a centralized hub for resources to weather this storm together: COVID-19 Information and Resources. This page will be updated regularly as new content is developed. In addition, the Autism Response Team remains a resource for all families in our community. As they receive specific inquiries and requests, we are listening, learning and adapting in real time to make information and content available. On this hub, families can find:
• Answers to common about coronavirus and how it impacts the autism community.
• Tips on how to manage disruptions to school-based services, and how to continue clinical care while social distancing.
• Teaching stories to help kids understand our current environment and adapt to changes in routine.
• Links to resources for educators and healthcare professionals.
• Links to translated resources where available.
• Coming soon: We are working on a series of videos answering questions and providing tips to help families work through common challenges. These will be posted to the COVID-19 resource hub and our YouTube channel as they’re available, and shared on our social channels. We encourage you to find @autismspeaks on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates.  

We’ll continue to update you as new resources are made available, and we welcome your feedback on what would be most helpful to you and your families. Please reach out to us at [email protected] at any time.

Finally, just over a month ago, we launched our campaign to create a kinder world, not knowing what challenges were ahead of us. As we work through this difficult moment together, this message feels as relevant as ever. I hope that amidst the stress and uncertainty of these times, we can all find ways to show kindness and compassion to one another. Please know we are sending you our best wishes for you your health and safety.

With kindness, gratitude and hope,

Angela Geiger
President & CEO
Autism Speaks