Out of an abundance of caution and after consulting with local officials, the Autism Society of Maryland (HCAS) has decided to cancel several of its upcoming events and activities.  Please be assured, we do not make this decision lightly and know the value our events and activities have for the AUSOM community. Below is a list of those events:

3/14     Yoga Class

3/14     Adult Social Group

3/15     Fitness First Night at Lifetime Fitness

3/17     General Support Group

3/19     Monthly Speaker Series: ANNUAL MEETING WITH HCPSS Department of Special Educ.

3/21     Yoga Class

3/21     Adult Social Group

3/24     Latino Parent Support Group

3/27     Women’s Social Group

3/28     Yoga Class

AUSOM made the decision to cancel these events to help protect our members, attendees, staff, and volunteers during the COVID-19 outbreak. In the current environment, it’s important for all of us to travel smarter and more consciously, as we work together as a community to decrease the transmission and lower the impact of COVID-19.   We will reassess at the end of this time period and make decisions based on information available at that time.

We know the constant barrage of news and headlines about the Coronavirus can be stressful.  Everyone is working to manage stress and anxiety while remaining informed.  Below are some tips that may help:

Disaster Preparedness Tips for Families with Autism

COVID-19 Preparedness and Resources

How to talk to children about the coronavirus

Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

5 Things To Know About CoronaVirus and People With Disabilities

We would also like to share these tips from NAMI Howard County for your own mental health:

• Take breaks from your news consumption: With smartphone apps, push notifications, and 24/7 news coverage, there is a tremendous amount of information available at all times. It’s okay to take breaks. Be observant of your own tendencies in news consumption, and limit your time on news sites if you notice yourself spending a lot of time on them.
• Be cognizant of your social media use: Social media can intensify the effects that you feel from news and information overload. The seemingly endless stream of information can make it difficult to shift your focus. Make sure to exhibit self-control when it comes to social media use, and consider deleting apps, turning off push-notifications, or giving yourself a mental break.
• Practice good stress management: Consistent and sound stress management practices can be an easy and effective way to mitigate news anxiety. Be sure to stick with practices that work for you.

We hope that you stay well during this difficult and stressful time and we look forward to seeing you at one of our events later in the year.