With school buildings closed, it’s been a challenging two months for most parents. But, it has been even more difficult for parents of children with special needs and developmental disabilities.

What You Need To Know

  • The pandemic has caused schools to close.
  • For students with special needs, parents say virtual learning presents a challenge.
  • Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara and more share their experiences on this.
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On a Friday afternoon, 18-year-old Michael Santabarbara is working on his sign language virtually with his teacher. This is how he's been learning over the past two months. Michael Santabarbara has autism and the transition hasn't been easier for him, his teacher, or his parents.

"Sometimes he needs help, and sometimes he needs a little bit of prompting and doing it through an iPad or a screen doesn't always work,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Michael's father.

He says without classrooms, his son is missing on learning life lessons and not receiving physical therapy. Now with summer classes to continue virtually, he's asking Governor Andrew Cuomo to consider some flexibility to serve the needs of students with special needs and developmental disabilities.

"Maybe have alternative sites or places where you can have a classroom setting, where there is enough room for social distancing, at least for the high needs population where they are unable to use a computer," Santabarbara said.

"You need to remember with kids on the spectrum, their routine is extremely important to them," said Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello, who has an 18-year-old son named James with autism.

She says he has lost ground in terms of physical mobility. Mantello says due to the pandemic, he hasn't received occupational, physical, or speech therapies.  

"I really, really am praying that somehow we can find maybe a middle ground to provide children like James the in-person therapy that he needs," Mantello said.

She says her son's school services typically continue through the summer. Mantello hasn't heard if that will happen this year, and even if it doesn't, it'll likely continue online. As for Santabarbara, he's hoping to address these issues when the Assembly returns to session virtually.

"I'm asking for alternatives and options for students with disabilities,” Santabarbara said. “It's very important. It must be considered. It must be part of this plan."