There's a growing movement calling for the reopening of schools for students with special needs, as parents argue that such schools are essential.

Mount Pleasant parents Diane and William Segel say their 3-year-old son with special needs is struggling to learn in the age of coronavirus because the education and services he relies on are now all online.

"He has a tough time not sticking to routine, a lot of special needs children need their routine," says Diane Segel.

The couple has started a petition calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to extend the school year for children with special needs, and to move the students back into the classroom.

More than 5,000 signatures have been added in less than a week. Parents of special needs children from across the tri-state area are using the petition to express the need for in-person education and services like physical therapy and speech sessions.