COVID-19: Supports and Resources for Family and Youth

FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE:
If you are concerned that a child or youth is at imminent risk of harm, please call 911. If your matter is an urgent concern, Telehealth Ontario may be contacted through 1-866-797-0000.

The DDSB recognizes that the COVID-19 crisis has had an impact on the students and families across the Region and that each family and individual will have their own unique needs, which may change over time.

We also realize that families have their own resourceful ways of managing stressful times and difficult circumstances.

To assist, members of Inclusive Student Services and School Mental Health/Well-Being departments have compiled various resources, tips, ideas, and community supports that may be helpful to you and your family.

We hope that some of these resources will be of benefit to you and provide additional help in these challenging times. Our team remains available to help support you and your family. Please reach out to your school Principal (via email or school voicemail) who can help connect you with our team.

Parents/Guardians with Children

parents and child doing homework During uncertain times, many parents and caregivers are looking for information on how best to support their children with learning while physically away from school. It’s important to remember that it's quite normal for any child to display some behaviours that might seem “out of character” when there are changes to their everyday world: they may seem more concerned, more withdrawn, or act out in ways that you would not expect. Understanding that this may be your child’s stress response showing as ‘fight or flight’ is important, because it is normal.

These resources may be of help:

Supporting My Child's Learning

Finding creative ways to keep learning going and to give your child opportunities for safe social contact is important.

Things to Remember

learning doesn't only happen through worksheets - talk with your kids about 'big ideas' or 'questions of the day' - focussing on oral communication while learning at home is just as important for brain development

everyday activities can be opportunities to learn at home (e.g. cooking, calculating distance during a walk in the community, writing/fine motor activities with sidewalk chalk, writing a text/letter/e-mail to a loved one)

Setting Up a Home Work Environment

physical environment: Careful consideration for location for work space. Check: is it free of distractions? Is there access to necessary materials? (i.e. plug for computer/adequate lighting)

create a learning space where the child knows this is where they are to be for a set period of time or for set activities

look at pictures of simple workstations/systems as samples

focus on the positives and praise/celebrate even the smallest successes

consider: is my learner able to complete these tasks independently? If not, what are some strategies they can use until an adult is available for support? (i.e. write questions on a post-it note, use free online tutoring support like TVO mathify, or ask a friend or family member)

Importance of Routine and Structure

use a timer and visuals as much as you can - they don't need to be fancy
chunk the time - use a task/break routine - set realistic expectations for yourself and your child - start slow and gradually increase the time
Low tech options to create schedules:
- whiteboard with a to-do list
- post-it notes
- a basket / pile of "to-do", that can be placed in a finished basket / pile when completed

Children with Special Needs

During uncertain times, many parents and caregivers are looking for information specific to their child with special needs. It’s important to remember, despite the nature of your child’s special needs, it’s quite normal for any child to display some behaviours that might seem “out of character” when there are changes to their everyday world: they may seem more concerned, more withdrawn, or act out in ways that you would not expect. Understanding that this may be your child’s stress response showing as ‘fight or flight’ is important, because it is normal.

Finding creative ways to give your child opportunities for safe social contact is important. These resources may be of help:

Talking with children about COVID- can be assisted via social stories and narratives, as which can be found on:

A sense of routine also is important!

Setting up routines and schedules:

Supporting Individuals With Autism through Uncertain times

Additional links to help your child with Special Needs at Home

The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, Helping Students with Learning Disabilities Keep their Skills Up (LD@home)

Mental Health and Well-Being

During these uncertain times, children may have a variety of questions and concerns around COVID-19, social distancing, and what this means for them. They may not have the words to describe what they are feeling and seem more anxious, or perhaps withdrawn. It is understandable that during this time of isolation and disrupted routines, children may respond or behave in ways that appear ‘out of character’. It is important that we have open conversations with our children about what they are experiencing.

These resources may be of assistance as caregivers talk with their child about feelings and concerns during this time.

Supporting my child who may be anxious:

Anxiety Canada

Self Care/Caregiver Stress

Community Supports and Social Assistance

Essential Durham Resources for Families - Quick Reference Guide

Essential Durham Resources for Families

Community Partnerships - Support Through COVID-19

Parents/Guardians with 'Tweens & Teens

tweens helping in the kitchen

The first challenge with tweens and teens may be getting them to comply with the guidelines for social distancing. For teenagers and young adults, friends are hugely important, as they are supposed to be!

A second challenge may relate to many students losing out on important experiences: sports seasons, proms, graduations, etc.

For some tweens and teens, being at home more often may feel like they are moving toward being more dependent than independent, which is the opposite of where their natural growth process is going.

All of these issues may lead to frustration, disappointment and resentment. As a parent or caregiver, you may be in the direct line of where these natural emotions take your teen.

So, if your tween or teen is struggling with being “stuck” at home, a direct conversation might be helpful:

acknowledge that you know it’s frustrating or upsetting for them to be missing out on events, activities and friends;

listen to what they’re feeling and validate those feelings;

answer their questions about COVID, with the help of the following link;

be direct about how you can work together to make this situation ‘bearable;’

support creative solutions to concerns, eg: accessing social contacts via video chats

Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis

'Tweens And Teens With Special Needs

Finding creative ways to give your tweens and teens opportunities for safe social contact and a sense of routine is also important.

These resources may help:

Talking with Your Teens About COVID and-Social Distancing

Setting up routines and schedules:

Supporting Individuals With Autism through Uncertain times

Additional links to help your child with Special Needs at Home

The Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, Helping Students with Learning Disabilities Keep their Skills Up (LD@home)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Supporting my Teen’s Mental Health:

Self Care/Caregiver Stress:

Kids & Youth

parent and youth With COVID-19, your daily routine and ability to connect with friends and important supports has really been disrupted for you. Things may seem uncertain for you right now. Remember to connect with your parent, caregiver, or trusted adults in your life to talk about what is on your mind and what you might need.