almost back to normal for Ann Hoeffer and her family in rural Lake County.
“The younger ones are doing great. It’s the older ones,” said Hoeffer, who’s helping raise her six grandchildren. “They’re only going to school two days a week, and it’s not enough.”
The youngest three children Esmerelda, 4, Gabriel, 5, and Jesse, 6 have been going to in-person school five days a week for several months. Gabriel and Jesse, who both have autism, have made significant leaps forward thanks to their teachers and therapists, and the stable routine. Jesse can write his name, Gabriel can get himself dressed, and their social skills have improved.