Parents of Children with Special Needs in ‘Panic Mode’ as Virtual Learning Falls Short

When Opal Foster lost her job during the pandemic, she unexpectedly found herself consumed by another full-time gig that didn't pay: at-home virtual learning supervisor for her son with special needs.  "We're all kind of living in panic mode right now," said Foster, a single mother in Silver Spring, Maryland, who is still unemployed. Foster spends all day at the family dining room table working with her son, Jeremiah, who has Down syndrome, as he navigates a labyrinth of Zoom classes, counseling sessions and art projects for eighth grade. "There isn't anybody really available to give you breaks," Foster said. "Financially, I'm not really sure how the end of the year is going to look." Parenting during a pandemic has meant financial, educational and emotional challenges for millions of Americans, but for those with children with special needs it's become a Herculean responsibility. Read More