Lockdown learning
BBC Bitesize is currently aiming its free online interactive resources at the lockdown situation. So what is Bitesize and how do you use it? See About us Click icon to browse or get started.
Education technology
There is a range of help available to access remote education to those who qualify. Parents cannot apply directly but need to contact schools to get help. Click icon to find out more. For example data allowances for mobile phones.
Tips
The National Autistic Society has produced a range of tips for autistic people and families. Click icon to browse.
Government guidance
SKDC has launched its Covid community information hub. Click icon to get the latest for the Grantham area.
- Phone: 01476 406177 / 406358 : 8am – 7pm
- Email: SKCommunityHub@southkesteven.gov.uk
See also for the UK government’s complete Guidance and support
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Parent to parent
Return to school
Parents
The National Autistic Society has set out guidance for parents of children on the autistic spectrum about the return to school in September. Click icon to view. See also directive to schools about support of SEND pupils. new
EHCP
The NAS has also set out answers to questions about the way the return to school in September affects children with an Education, Health and Care Plan. Click icon to view.
Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum seem to do quite a bit of what you might call heavy lifting. Click icon to see their Coronavirus articles on the right hand side. Notably, a ministerial SEND letter, of Jun 2020, about plans for the return to school.
Ambitious about autism
On the Ambitious about Autism website, find: Home > About autism > Coronavirus
– The Coronavirus resources page has some easy reading downloads.
– They have a couple of pages about the return to school. Look for it in Corona > Education. new
https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/
They have also published a children’s story, The world has turned upside down. Click icon and scroll down to find it. There is also a link to their website at the top of the Twitter feed.

Resources and updates
National Autistic Society has collected together resources and news for the current situation. Click icon to browse. Also:
- Here is an NHS fact sheet about Coronavirus for kids.
- The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health has produced a podcast featuring two clinical psychologists about getting children with autism through this time of upheaval.
- The Challenging Behaviour Foundation has its own Covid-19 information and resources page. It includes information about legal rights. They have some ideas to help to make hand washing fun.
Shine
Shine has just put out a newsletter that addresses some issues of current interest. Click icon to browse. new
Shine Lincolnshire, the mental health support network, are putting on virtual coffee mornings for carers in Lincolnshire. They are regularly on Mon, Wed & Fri on Zoom. See how they work. Their website has details about all the latest events.
Shine aims to put people with mental health issues in touch with sources of support. See Shine basics
Emotional wellbeing
There seem to be some new resources and services developed to support for emotional wellbeing and mental health in Lincolnshire. Click icon for GAIN guide.
The friendly garden
The Friendly Garden is the location for a range of garden related events organised by the Sage Gardener. They have made changes to the way they do things to make events COVID safe so that members can make the most of the outdoors and the natural world and feel better. They are geared up for older people rather than children. See Mainstream activities to find out more.
Scams
With current Coronavirus restrictions it seems wise to be aware that criminals have been seeking to exploit increased dependence on the internet. This BBC article highlights efforts in the UK to combat on-line scams. Click icon to view. Here are a few pointers for safeguarding yourself.

Social story
Here is a social story about seeing people with face masks. Click icon to take a look. If it is not just what you want, does it give you any ideas? See also: how to write your own free images
Face coverings
Professor Ellen Townsend makes a plea for compassion for those who cannot wear face coverings. She outlines the many reasons why some people may not be using a face covering. Professor Townsend leads research at the School of Psychology, University of Nottingham.
Click icon for article. See also: Mask anxiety
Health
The NHS continues to update its Coronavirus page. It is straight forward to browse. Click icon to view.
Lincolnshire heritage & culture
Lincolnshire County Council have a number of short stories from long ago, produced by Lincoln Castle, on Youtube. Click play button to see the list.
Lincoln Castle have also published a free audio guide download to the castle. Click download to scan QR code with your Android or iPhone.
Key terms
Here is a table of school years and ages:
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Please be aware that we, at GAIN, are not qualified to give advice. See disclaimer.