This is a very special episode. I speak parent to parent with Melissa Winchell about the struggles our families are facing on COVID19 lockdown. Melissa’s family was featured on ABC News recently, along with mine and few others. ABC News were exploring the impact COVID19 lockdown is having on special needs families like ours.
I speak with Melissa about the challenges she’s facing as a special needs parent, while on lockdown. We both talk very openly about our fears, concerns and the many struggles our kids are currently facing, as we get used to our new normal. This is a very emotional episode and it provides amazing insight into special needs parenting under these lockdown conditions.
We discuss some very difficult things that special needs parents are worrying about as a result of the current crisis.
About Melissa Winchell:
Melissa Winchell, Ed.D., is a disabled parent of kids with disabilities, including a 10-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, ASD, medical complexity, and multiple behavior diagnoses. She is a lifelong public educator and a current assistant professor of secondary education at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, MA. She is president of Inclusion Matters, Inc., a non-profit advocating for and educating disabled families.
You can find Melissa:
Twitter: twitter.com/melissawinchell
Follow Inclusion Matters on facebook.com/WBSEPAC
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
I wanted to provide you with a list of reliable sources for information regarding COVID19. Facts, science medicine and accurate, truthful information matter now more than ever. These are some of the people and medical facilities that I trust and rely on for information about this pandemic. Please give them a follow.
Dr. Tara C. Smith
Professor, infectious disease epidemiologist
Twitter: twitter.com/aetiology
Website: aracsmith.com
Cleveland Clinic
Twitter: twitter.com/clevelandclinic
Website: clevelandclinic.org
Mayo Clinic
Twitter:twitter.com/mayoclinic
Website: mayoclinic.org
CDC
Twitter: twitter.com/cdcgov
Website: cdc.gov
Support This Podcast
You can find me: theautismdad.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theautismdad
This episode is sponsored by Mightier. Mightier is an amazing program out of Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s. It uses video games to teach kids to emotionally self-regulate. Visit theautismdad.com/mightier and find out more information, including how to get a free 30 day trial.
This episode is brought to you by AngelSense. Wandering is a huge problem in the Autism community and it’s reached epidemic levels. AngelSense is working to save the lives of Autistic kids who wander, by empowering parents with GPS tracking tools that helps them to immediately intervene should an episode of elopement occur. Visit angelsense.com for more information.

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Mentioned in this episode:
Happy Ladders
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