Learning Disabilities - Parents

First, read the section on IEPs if you haven't already, especially if your child was recently diagnosed with a learning disability.

If you are already familiar with IEPs and are looking for resources on how to support your child with a learning disability, read on.

Ways to help your child who has a learning disability

• Normalize celebrating differences between people in your home. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Help your child know that their learning disability doesn't define them.

• Praise the work they have done and not the grades they get. Your child is or will be in special education because they are behind. Celebrate them on the path they are on.

• Show that it is okay to get things wrong. Point out when you spelled a work wrong or did mental math incorrectly.

• Help your child express negative emotions in a healthy way, such as naming and explaining them. Students who struggle to learn also struggle with negative emotions associated with that: shame and anger cycles are common.

• Find a way to keep your child interested in school. Sports, a club, another extracurricular, supporting their friendships, etc.

• Help them find an adult role model who has a learning disability and found success.

In general, normalizing their experience and helping them not feel like an "other" is important to helping your child reach their potential.

Here is a blog post from a parent of a child with a learning disability.

A quote from the daughter in the article: “Tell them that their kids are trying, even when they wish the results were better.”

References

Washington University Physicians. (2015, November 13). 11 things parents can do to help their kids with learning disabilities. Neurofibromatosis (NF) Center. Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://nfcenter.wustl.edu/family-resources/emotional-wellness/11-things-parents-can-do-to-help-their-kids-with-learning-disabilities/