In this special edition of E-Speaks, Autism Speaks is sharing new findings about how the pandemic has impacted the autism community. While COVID-19 has touched people around the globe, we know that the effects of the pandemic on people with autism have been profound. In a new Special Report on COVID-19 and Autism, we found that despite people with autism being just slightly less likely than people with other health conditions to get COVID-19, they have a substantially higher risk of being hospitalized if they do get sick. In addition, we found that food insecurity in the autism community is substantially higher than households of people with no disabilities, particularly in minority communities.

Through surveys of our community and our own data analysis, we know that addressing food insecurity and accessibility of vaccines and vaccine information will be critical to supporting the health and well-being of autistic people in 2021. We offer these findings to contribute to a better understanding of our community’s unique challenges a year into the pandemic, and to outline ways we can support those with autism moving forward. Autism Speaks is committed to serving the autism community through these challenging times.

Where to find food

With food insecurity worsening in the autism community, we’ve collected information for families about where to find food. If you or someone you know needs food, there are places near you that can help.

Dónde encontrar comida

Con el aumento de la inseguridad alimentaria en nuestra comunidad, hemos recopilado información para las familias sobre dónde encontrar alimentos. Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita comida, hay lugares cercanos que pueden ayudar.

COVID-19 Needs in the Autism Community Webinar

For a detailed review of our COVID-19 and Autism special report, including our findings and response to community needs, please join us on Wednesday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. ET. Members of our Science, Advocacy and Services & Supports teams will discuss our research, break down the COVID relief funding for people with autism and other disabilities in the American Rescue Plan, and share how we continue to support the autism community with these challenges in 2021. Register here.