Resources available to help families with children who have special needs

CLEVELAND — The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting everyone hard. It's been especially difficult for kids with special needs. 

We found some resources to help families with special needs children get through this difficult time. 

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Adapting to virtual learning isn't easy for a lot of students, so imagine the difficulty if your child has special needs. UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital Child Neurologist Dr. Max Wiznitzer says there are a few ways to overcome some of the challenges. 

"The children with special needs have additional challenges that have to be addressed," he says. 

These rules can be used for all students but especially for those with educational needs.

1. Act as if they’re going to school
2. Keep structure, routine and consistency
3. Provide appropriate incentives for performance
4. Put work into smaller units of time
5. Minimize distractions
6. Parents shouldn’t hover

Check out these additional links for parents of students who have special needs:

• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
• Saint Joseph’s University