People with Autism and other developmental disabilities and their families are disproportionately impacted by the ongoing public health and economic emergency caused by COVID-19. The Autism Society of Greater New Orleans believes that increasing vaccine confidence is a crucial step towards improving the lives of people with Autism, their families and communities as we all work towards ending the pandemic. Through participation in the Autism Society of America’s Vaccine Education Initiative (VEI), the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans is committed to increasing vaccine education, confidence, and access through grassroots efforts. Some of our activities include:
- Disseminating physical and digital toolkits and resources
- Organizing and Hosting inclusive vaccine clinics
- Hosting online educational opportunities about the COVID-19 Vaccines and Autism.
- Engaging in storytelling and data-gathering to highlight lived experiences and reinforce key messages for those within the Autism community
- Partnering with trusted community leaders to promote vaccine safety & confidence
- Increasing accessibility to vaccines through our Information & Referral Program
Vaccine Facts & Resources
The Autism Society knows that there is an overwhelming number of resources for information regarding COVID-19, though not all pertain to the specific needs of our community. Below are handpicked resources to assist the Autism community with information for healthcare professionals, parents, and caregivers.
- Unvaccinated people are 10 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, 17 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 20 times more likely to die.
- Adults with Autism, intellectual disabilities, and/or with mental health diagnoses, have an increased risk for experiencing more severe COVID-19 disease symptoms.
- People with intellectual disabilities (ID) already die 16-20 years earlier than the general population due to preventable illness; People with ID are almost six times more likely to die from COVID-19.
- The CDC recommends that everyone age 12 and older get a COVID-19 booster dose.
Online educational content.
Autism and Vaccines Podcast with Dr. Elizabeth Margolis.
Webinar with Louisiana Department of Health: Autism and COVID-19 Vaccines: Answering the Big Questions, Increasing Accessibility
Accessibility Resources for individuals and providers.
- Download and print: Healthcare symbol communication boards in English and Spanish.
- Autism Society Resource: Guide to accessible vaccine clinics
- Making COVID-19 Vaccines Accessible, Barriers and Solutions
Social Stories and Infographics:
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- Autism Society Resource: How I get my COVID-19 Vaccine
- Autism Society Resource: COVID-19 Vaccine Visual Schedule
- Autism Society Resource: COVID-19 Vaccine, Safe, Effective, Free
- Autism Society Resource: What to expect after you get your COVID-19 Vaccine
- Autism Society Resource: Protecting Yourself Protects Everyone
Plain Language Resources:
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- Autism Society Resource: COVID-19 in Plain Language
- Autism Society Resource: COVID-19 Vaccines Protect people with disabilities
- Autism Society Resource: Addressing Health Misinformation
- Autism Society Resource: COVID-19 Vaccine Facts in Plain language
- Autism Society Resource: COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging tips