As a parent with a child with additional needs my wife and are pleased with how our school has transitioned with our son’s virtual learning. We are also pleased how his virtual therapy sessions have gone. Even though this is going well, it has its challenges. We do feel that all of this screen time is affecting our son’s behavior in a negative way. To reduce the negative behaviors once the lessons are completed we make sure that electronics of any kind are put away for the rest of the day. That includes screen time with friends and family. With running Additional Needs, Inc. I read articles about our community on a daily basis, I have read over and over how difficult virtual learning is for the children and parents, and in some cases, children are still not receiving any services. For the families that are doing virtual learning many of them feel the school is doing what they can but because of the circumstances it’s not enough. We feel the same way. Even in our case we believe schools and therapists can’t replace in-person teaching and therapies with virtual teaching and therapies. Here are articles that make this point crystal clear. Because we must stay home at this time and do things virtually we’ve also added articles that help parents navigate virtual learning.
Below are articles on how difficult virtual learning is for children with additional needs:
No one to help me’: Special education families struggle with coronavirus school closures via USA Today
Two senators — a Democrat and a Republican — urge Betsy DeVos not to gut special-education law but provide ‘narrow’ flexibility to school districts via The Washington Post
Coronavirus: Parents of children with special needs experience challenges with at-home education via WYDAILY
Disability rights advocates urge Education Secretary DeVos to ensure special education students receive equal services via The Washington Post
How are we going to do this?’: Students with special needs could slip behind via MPRNEWS
Special education during coronavirus: What should parents tolerate, demand? via WHYY PBS
Coronavirus: Special education at home could set some kids ‘way back’ via Dayton Daily News
The Pandemic Is a Crisis for Students With Special Needs via The Atlantic
Online learning presents unique challenges for special education students and families via kxan
Here are articles to help parents with virtual learning:
8 Tips for Conducting Virtual IEP Meetings via edutipia
I’m Homeschooling 3 Kids With IEPs And 504s — Here’s How We’re Making It Work via Scary Mommy
Iowa Parents Seeking Solutions for Special Education Learning at Home via 13 NEWS
Parents of special needs children need community support during the pandemic via Nj.com
Here’s how Washoe County students with special needs are adapting to distance learning via NEWS 4
Educators Get Creative To Serve Students With Disabilities via npr
Through this experience we believe both the families and the teachers will have greater appreciation for one another.
