Hey everyone. Hope everyone is staying safe!
I just read that there were findings in the Disability and Health Journal that say that those with intellectual and development disabilities from the ages of 18 to 74 with COVID-19 had a higher fatality rate (4.5 percent) than their non-disabled peers (2.7 percent). These rates were figured out based on the study looking at 30,282 people with COVID-18 including 474 with developmental disabilities.
There’s no concrete conclusion to why this is happening at a higher rate but the group of those with developmental disabilities had more co-occurring conditions than those without disabilities. You can read more about the findings here.
I continue to recommend, in addition to physical distancing, washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, and wearing a mask when going outside, to continue mental health check-ins with loved ones. Mental health can’t be pushed to the side at times like these as there have been individuals who have died from suicide from COVID-19 related isolation .
I encourage families who are struggling right now to read my 5 Ways To Help Your Special Needs Child During The Coronavirus Pandemic here where I discuss social stories and other helpful tips. Growing up with autism, routine change was always a challenge for me and during this pandemic, especially as a professional speaker who’s used to being on the road, my routine sure has taken a 180. We are in this together!
What are your thoughts on this study? Let me know in the comments!
Join me for my upcoming workshop on Food & Eating Challenges here. I’ll then be giving a workshop the following week on ways to help a nonverbal child with autism communicate which you can learn about here.
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My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum that started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue a post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
