BUFFALO, N.Y. — The school bus driver shortage is affecting so many families across the state, including kids with medical issues and disabilities.

One local mother has had to find alternatives to make sure her daughter makes it to school on time.

Ashley Harris-Rogers is a sophomore at Buffalo’s Leonardo Da Vinci High School. The 15-year-old sits down after school with her mother to catch up on her history assignments.

"She usually just does her homework and I’m usually somewhere else," said Toddie Rogers, Ashley's mom.

Ashely has several medical issues, including hydrocephalus, migraine headaches and Tourette’s syndrome. Days when she’s had to wait extra time for her school bus to show up in the morning have made things more difficult.

"So there’s times when it might be a half an hour, it could be 15 minutes, it could be like several hours," said Toddie.

And that causes Ashley to miss some of her morning classes, adding more stress to her day and throwing her off an important routine.

"It’s very frustrating," said Ashley. "It makes me have to miss work. I can make it up, but it’s very frustrating and challenging sometimes."

Like many school districts, Buffalo Public Schools, and its contractor First Student, faces a severe bus driver shortage, causing delays for many kids like Ashley.

"It can be very inconvenient, because you have a set schedule," Toddie said. "You want to get things done and you want it to get it done right, and all of a sudden, you’ve got to stop just to figure out what to do.

"Her father had to come and pick her up," Toddie continued. "My coworker had to help me get her to school. My mother even had to help her get to school. That way she got there."

Toddie has been in contact with First Student, and the issue has gotten better lately.

"Since I’ve gotten a new driver, she’s gotten here earlier, and that’s a very big relief," Ashley said. "So I can get to school on time and I can get to class and no extra work."

Still, Toddie’s advice for other parents facing a similar situation — speak up to make sure their children’s situation is being addressed.

"This is not going to be easy for anyone," Toddie said. "We have a bus driver shortage and aide shortage. Trying to find the right fit for our children and for their safety is what’s important."