Explaining Coronavirus and Quarantine to Kids of All Abilities

Coronavirus. Social distancing. Why we stay home. To explain it to my 7 year old with Down syndrome, I had to make a video.

And when I finished it, I wept.

So much has changed so quickly.

Every day was news of a place I loved being closed, people I love I’m unable to see, and COVID-19 infecting more and more around. I am figuring out how we’ll pay our bills. Everyday I redefine self-care. I am uncovering how to do community. I am donning the hat of full-time mom, teacher, therapist (Occupational, Physical, Speech, Behavioral), cook, cleaner, entertainer, and friend. And I’m still processing why.

So how could I explain it to my son?

I can’t talk to him about it. That doesn’t work with his auditory processing disorder.

I can’t show him a written story. He is not yet cognitively able to do so with his intellectual delays.

He can’t ask me questions. His apraxia makes speech very limited and he is still learning how to use the AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device that he uses to speak.

The best way my son learns is visually and by his peers. And with social distancing, that’s not okay right now.

But, in the past year, I discovered a powerful tool that now, more than ever, I could use to help him: a Social Story video.

These Social Stories are videos that guide step-by-step what someone can expect, what they need to do, and how to communicate their needs when there are challenges for them to do so. The latest research shows video-based modeling is a powerful tool for many types of people, especially children with disabilities such as Down syndrome or autism.

And this tool is more relevant than ever. Why? Because I can bring Knightly’s peers to him via video.

Moreover, I can bring the world to Knightly via video.

I contacted his friends and people around the globe; and, they answered.

The result?

A video that brings my son answers, community, and travel to faraway lands

And as I watched each family, I was reminded of what I very much needed to hear: I am not alone. We are all figuring this out. And we are all in this together.

Introducing my Mighty Knightly’s Social Story Coronavirus (COVID-19) video:

Let’s Stay Home

Watch more Social Story videos here!

Video Subtitles

For those who’d love Subtitles to the video above:

My state has quarantine which means

I have to stay at home
One of the things I can do at home is

On the first day of every year

I am courageous

Red and orange

Stay on PJs!

Hi! Hi!

Let’s stay home

Some people are getting very sick with the Coronavirus

And it spreads easily.

To help people stay healthy,

I’ll stay home with my family.

I’ll wash my hands a lot.

I wash all over and count to 20.

I may use soap

Or hand sanitizer

I will cover my mouth when I cough or sneeze.

When I see other people,

I will stay at least 6 feet away.

But I can wave, “Hi!”

I will have a new schedule.

I will do school work at home.

Help

Good!

Are you outside?

I will play at home

Babba-dee

Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh

CRASH!

or outside.

Scootering is a fun thing you can do

When you’re stuck at home

But make sure to wear a helmet and shoes

So you can keep safe

If you ride a bike or a scooter,

There’s few safety rules. Rule #1:

Do not go in the street when a car is coming

Only if a parent says cross the street with them

Then you can cross the street

Rule #2: Always stick with someone

Because if you went over there

And nobody was watching you

There could be a tricky person that gets you

I may go to the doctor’s or the grocery store

Some people may wear masks or gloves.

I can’t go out to some of my favorite places

Like school or Disneyland

And I can’t visit people I love right now

But this helps keep everyone safe.

Sometimes, I may feel happy

HAHAHA

or scared or sad

So might my family.

But that’s okay.

I can say how I feel.

I feel sad.

If I miss my friends or family,

I can make a phone call

Call Grandpa please

Hey Grammy

I love you so much

Bye. Bye!

Or a video call.

Video call

If I’m upset, I can ask for a break.

Break

I can ask for a hug.

Hug

Eeeeh!

I can breathe in and out.

[breathing in and out]

I can pray.

God our Father

Once again

We bow our heads and thank you

Amen

I will do things that make me happy.

Like laughing

Haha!

Playing

Dancing

2-3-4-5-6-7

Exercising

And enjoying the beautiful sky

La la la!

And guess what? I’m not alone.

Other kids around the world are doing the same thing!

Red orange yellow green blue purple pink

It’s a rainbow

The Itsy bitsy spider

Went up the water spout

Down came the rain

And washed the spider out

[Counting 1-30 in Russian]

Hahaha!

When it’s okay,

I will go to school and my favorite places again.

Until then, I get to be home with my family.

Thanks for watching!

What things are you doing at home that make you happy?

Let’s Stay Home

Video Subtitles

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