Parents of Children with Special Needs Feel Education Hindered with COVID-19 Learning Models

For children who have special needs and their parents, this school year is more challenging than ever. Jen Troska and Cassandra Bartelson are both mothers of four children. Troska lives in Moorhead and Bartelson lives in Fargo. They're dealing with similar yet different struggles. Jen's 8-year-old son, Johnathan, has autism. He not only loves going to school, he loves getting there, too. "He loves the big yellow bus and loves to get on the bus.," Troska said. Cassandra's 3-year-old daughter, Kenna, has mild autism, cerebral palsy and a breathing tube. She just started pre-school and in-home therapy this year. She misses in-person interaction the most. "She only has one other girl in her class with her; it's very small," Bartelson said. "Her teacher tells me she cheers my daughter on whenever she's doing therapy."  Read More