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Distance learning is not a one-size-fits-all for special needs kids

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Published  August 10, 2020 10:00pm PDT
Coronavirus in SoCal
FOX 11

Online learning issues for special needs kids

Distance learning is getting to be pretty much routine for a lot of kids as we head into the fall semester. But there is a sub group of students that is not faring so well with this new system.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - A week ago FOX 11 told you the story of 6-year-old Dayna Harris. Dayna is a twin and is a child with autism. Her twin sister is fine, but for the rest of the family dealing with distance learning is really tough when it comes to educating Dayna.

We told you that this was a segment of school children to which distance learning is, for some, proving to be regressive.   

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Educators at Cal State Northridge's Family Focus Resource Center are seeing more and more of this problem.   

They say parents are just not equipped to be parents, teachers and therapists.    

Dayna's parents want her in a structured class setting to get the specialized care she needs to develop, but that's tough right now.     

Many of you reached out on social media to share your feelings.

Here are a few viewers sent via Facebook:

Barbara Villicana: "My grandson is autistic Hal. Thanks for getting this out. I worry for him and all the others. He misses his friends so much."

Jennifer Zabala: "I have 2 with autism. One is 21 and in his last year with the school district. The other is 6. The 21-year-old will be ok for a little while. The 6-year-old will not.

She cried and screamed when we tried it for the end of the school year." 

Isabel Berdeja Zepeda: "Special needs families are being overlooked in the debate over how to re-open schools!"

Health Coronavirus/coronavirus SocalNewsHealth Coronavirus/schools