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Learning Disorder
Children that suffer from a learning disorder may feel discouraged and embarrassed, especially in a school setting. While other children are learning and progressing with ease, a child with a learning disorder may have to work harder to achieve the same success.
Conversely, living with a learning disorder can strengthen the personality and work ethic of a child, as long as they are supported by their friends and family. Having to work hard from their adolescence will help them in the future, whether it be in further education or in a work environment. As a parent, it is your responsibility to be supportive and patient with your child, and to speak up on their behalf when it is necessary.
Follow these tips to help your child cope with their learning disorder:
1. Be An Expert
The first and most important thing you can do as a parent is to understand and accept that your child is suffering from a learning disorder. Doing so will empower you do anything in your power to help your child. Learn all that you can about the disorder so that you can become a supportive, knowledgeable parent and advocate. Talk to your child’s school to help determine what the problem is, and do research to become an expert in that particular type of disorder.
2. Be Encouraging
As said before, it is important to support your child through the disorder. This includes being encouraging for all of their endeavors, including praising their strengths and talents. If your child is strong at speaking, encourage them to tell stories! If they are good at sports, encourage exercise and community sports programs! If your child tells you that he or she is good at video games however, you may want to be suspicious that they are “good at lying.”
3. Be Creative
Work with your child’s teacher to help explore options for improving learning. If your child is better at speaking than writing, ask if he or she can do an oral presentation instead of a writing assignment. If your child is discouraged, consider involving them with extra-curricular activities.
4. Be Helpful
Keep your expectations of your child high, and constantly let your child know that you believe in him or her. Always encourage your child to think, and help him or her accomplish tasks that would usually be difficult to do alone. Keep an open communication to let them know that you trust in them.
5. Be Outward
At times, it can be beneficial to your child’s disorder to reach out for outside help. You may want to hire a tutor or others with specialties in special education or learning disorders.
Living with a learning disorder can potentially be very beneficial to a child’s future. As a parent, it is important to be educated, encouraging, creative, helpful, and outward in helping your child deal with their learning disorder. Keep these tips in mind to become the supportive advocate that your child may need!
