When the announcement came that schools would close and my children would be learning from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt a surge of optimism. With my experience as a former homeschooler and college educator, as well as a flexible work-from-home schedule, I thought managing the education of my four kids would be manageable. However, I quickly realized how wrong I was.
Instead of a picturesque learning environment reminiscent of The Sound of Music, our home felt more like a battlefield—one that wasn’t just against COVID-19, but against the chaos of our different learning needs. Two of my kids have unique educational requirements that necessitate individualized education plans (IEPs). This made the transition to distance learning far from ordinary. How was I supposed to effectively teach four children with varying learning styles, especially when some have disabilities?
Distance learning is already a struggle for parents of typically developing children, but it becomes even more complex for those with special needs. Students requiring services such as speech therapy, specialized math instruction, or social skills training face an uphill battle. These students are entitled to accommodations that ensure they receive a free and appropriate public education, which includes tools like assistive technology and behavioral systems. How can we ensure that these vital supports continue during this period?
My children are not alone in this situation. To illustrate the scale of the issue, during the 2017-2018 school year, 7 million public school students—about 14%—were receiving special education services. Among them, 34% were identified with specific learning disabilities, while others had speech impairments, autism, or other challenges. This highlights the vast number of American children now expected to learn from home without adequate support.
The anxiety among parents of children with special needs is palpable. Many feel unprepared to provide the necessary academic support. As Kendra Mills, an information specialist at Family Support Network, explains, there is a genuine fear that students with special needs will fall behind during prolonged school closures. Parents worry about the long-term effects on their children’s transition back to school once it resumes. The overwhelming nature of these challenges is undeniable.
Mills emphasizes that all students will be affected by this disruption. While we cannot predict the full extent of the impact on students with special needs, it is clear that their education will not mirror what it was prior to the pandemic. As a parent, I can attest to witnessing the struggle firsthand; I am not equipped to conduct speech therapy or modify math lessons effectively.
Mills advises parents to reach out to their child’s educators for guidance, suggestions, and resources. Many states offer free parent training centers aimed at helping families navigate these challenges. If your child receives therapies, contacting service providers for advice on at-home activities can also be beneficial. Parents should remember that they are not alone in this journey and that teaching life skills—like time management and teamwork—can be just as valuable as academics.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to avoid the trap of comparing ourselves to other parents, especially on social media. Each child with special needs has a unique educational path, and what matters is that we do our best for our children.
In my family, prioritizing our physical and emotional well-being has become paramount. When we choose to cuddle and read together instead of insisting on completing worksheets, the atmosphere in our home improves significantly. Emotional stability allows me to better support my children, particularly those with unique learning needs. I’m striving to embrace my new role with confidence, focusing on what truly matters: the well-being of my children.
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Summary
Distance learning has introduced significant challenges for students with IEPs and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents are struggling to provide adequate support, especially for children with special needs. It’s essential to communicate with educators, focus on emotional well-being, and avoid comparisons to others.