HELENA — From school shutting down in the spring to the hybrid classroom model for the fall, there have been many changes for parents, schools, and for children who have a disability or special needs.
Glenda Heitz Burton, a mother of three who has a child with a disability, said, “We as disabled parents don’t always feel that we are being heard.”
Heitz Burton also said that during the pandemic, the schools being closed was hard on her children. “My two special needs kids couldn't hang out with their friends. It was really hard for them mentally, because they like that interaction and that interaction they have missed.”
Sean Morrison, the pre-kindergarten through fifth grade Special Education Administrator, says that Helena Public Schools has put community health at the forefront, while giving children with special needs or children living with a disability individual attention.
An example of giving students special attention - for a student that could have issues with hearing or sight: “So if you and I were connecting remotely for a lesson, we would make it so you could see the captioning of all the words I am saying, in real-time,” said Morrison.
Teachers also use clear masks to enable students to see their teacher's mouth. Telehealth is also available for families.
Heitz Burton says that the community needs to show compassion around some of the challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, like children who struggle with putting on a mask.
Morrison also adds, "We are all different as individuals, whether you can visibly see a disability or not, just always having that mindset of grace and understanding, for your fellow human."
