Post pandemic, some children who didn't have mental illness do now. Some children with pre-existing mental health issues are worse.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES: WHAT FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS CAN DO

BY LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A.

UNDOCUMENTED SUSPENSION

Sometimes districts use informal removals which are really undocumented suspensions. For example, families may be called weekly or even daily to come pick up their child from school due to misbehavior. Doing this circumvents IDEA's discipline provisions and is a denial of FAPE (free, appropriate public education). School districts must use the IEP process and IDEA protections for students with 504 plans or IEPs. Families can refuse to pick up their child and request a Functional Behavioral Assessment to improve the IEP.

MELTDOWN OR CRISIS

Children with autism and other disabilities may have meltdowns when they are overwhelmed. Some districts are requesting psych clearance, for autistic meltdowns, when students are not a danger to self or others. It is important to note that a small group of children with autism may also have mental health conditions secondarily, but that is not the case for most and psych clearance need not be used.