Over the past two weeks, Autism Parenting Magazine – America’s leading magazine for autism families – has rapidly responded to the changing needs of the autism community by providing sought after autism COVID-19 resources. In the face of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Editor-in-Chief Amy KD Tobik says coming together to develop tools such as social stories and visual schedules, along with professional advice, is critical.
“Autism families are facing unprecedented challenges,” she explained. “Many children on the spectrum don’t respond well to change and can experience excessive anxiety or regressive behavior(s). With schools canceled, programs and sports postponed, and much-needed therapies placed on the back burner, daily life has been thrown into a tailspin for many families.
“When parents reached out to us for help, we knew we had to jump in and respond” she added.
Areva Martin, president and founder of Special Needs Network, Inc. said, “It’s critical the autism community is able to come together during this tough time to help families filter through the misinformation regarding COVID-19 and receive expert advice.”
A civil rights attorney, talk show host and commentator, best-selling author and mother to a son on the spectrum, she added, “Amy and her team are fully committed to providing autism families with the relevant guidance they so desperately need right now. The special needs community can depend on Autism Parenting Magazine for wholehearted support.”
The magazine team is providing lockdown coping strategies as well as ways to deal with heightened anxieties as a result of COVID-19 that offer mechanisms and suggestions for Autism families worldwide, not just America.
“Our specialists are recommending ways to improve communication while stuck at home, as well as ways to interact with schools,” says Amy. “Many therapists are offering teletherapy during the quarantine, which I think will make a huge difference for children experiencing high levels of stress or depression.
“We want parents to know people are out there willing to help,” she said.
Amy added it has been rewarding to watch the greater autism community come together. “We must work to provide all people the assistance they need. As an international publication, we touch the lives of thousands of autism families every day, which is critical during a crisis like this. Working with committed doctors, specialists, and autism families from all over the globe make the world feel a little smaller,” she said.
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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