Special Ed Students Get At-Home Wellness Checks, E-Learning

(Aurora, IL) ­– “Seeing the whites of their eyes” of Chicago, suburban, and downstate students is a key program element of one of Illinois’ leading private special education school systems as it continues to teach and counsel special needs students during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We want to see the whites of their eyes, as we put it, for our teachers and staff doing well-ness checks at students’ homes,” said Dr. Elizabeth Conran, President & CEO the Aurora-based Menta Group. “Our staff and, a couple weeks ago, our East Bunny, have dropped off Chromebooks, classroom materials and learning manipulatives, structured teaching schedules and materials, etc, and food for our all students, many of whom are low-income, and our staff are going to homes, working from their cars, talking with the kids and families.”

The Menta Group, a multi-state education non-profit, operating 29 private and public/private partnership special education schools, such as Menta Academy Chicago West and Menta Academy Chicago South, specializes in education for students working to overcome behavioral, emotional, and developmental challenges, such as autism, schizophrenia, among other conditions.

Conran says these students are the least capable emotionally to resist with the extraordinary change to their daily, school-based structured routines imposed by COVID-19-forced school closures, posing enormous challenges for both students and families.

“Even on a good day, teachers and counselors with specialized training struggle,” said Conran. “Now, our parents are on their own 24-hours a day without six or seven hours each day of the respite they had previously when their children were in our schools. Now, none.”

Conran warns that behavioral-challenged students are at heightened risk for aggression and frustration, such as temper tantrums or becoming withdrawn, for example, refusing to get out of bed. Those are warning signs of potentially violent incidents in the home.

“Parents should be alert changes to eating and sleeping patterns,” said Conran. “They should review their child’s social media posts that might hint at depression or anger or violence.”

The Menta Group’s clinicians and teachers have created individual distance learning plans for each student for their parents to follow. Menta staff have also developed for parents “sensory boxes” customized for each student to de-escalate anxiety or aggression.

Additionally, Conran says that The Menta Group has rolled out an online “parent university” to help parents practice de-escalation strategies. And clinicians contact families daily, coaching parents on how to help children regain a sense of calm and balance.

Conran worries about the long-term impacts of COVID-19-driven school shutdown.

“Our schools will offer summer online enrichment activities,” said Conran. “And we are planning a welcome back ‘camp’ next year to help return them to their reassuring structure of the school day.”

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