How to deal with your child’s learning disabilities
- Updated on 14 Nov 2021
- Child Learning
- Mautushi Paul
Topic Index
Introduction
It is natural to worry about your child and their learning disabilities (LD) as a parent. It’s hard not to feel guilty that you may be the cause of all their problems or that somehow you are doing something wrong. The truth is, in many cases, there isn’t anything parents can do to fix their child’s LDs; however, this doesn’t mean they don’t need help. To make life easier for yourself and your family, here are 11 ways you can deal with your child’s learning disabilities.
What is meant by learning disabilities?
Learning disabilities (LD) are often described as differences in how a person hears, sees, or processes information. These differences can make it difficult for people to do tasks that others find easy. Learning disabilities affect how one perceives and interacts with the world around them, affecting their school skills.
What are some common learning disabilities?
Some of the more commonly known types of Learning Disabilities in children include:
- Dyslexia
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorders
How do I know if my child has learning disabilities?
Suppose you’re concerned about your child’s development. In that case, it is essential to consult with a professional such as a speech therapist, psychologist, neurologist, or paediatrician for advice on how to help best them learn and succeed. With their guidance, you can get an accurate diagnosis and determine what accommodations might be needed at school.
What are some of the best ways to help children with learning disabilities?
The best thing you can do for your child is creating an environment where they feel supported rather than judged. This includes: encouraging playtime when trying new things; cultivating creativity through imaginative games; giving choices about what activities your kids participate in during free time; being flexible on specific rules so long as safety isn’t a concern; allowing mistakes without any negative.
Following are the top 11 ways to help children’s learning disabilities:
- Give your child lots of practice with specific tasks. It is essential to reinforce what they are learning in school at home and give them ample opportunities for repetition since it has been shown that this type of intervention can improve performance on specific skills such as reading comprehension or math computations.
- Provide a quiet space where your child will be able to learn without distractions. This could mean the corner of their bedroom or playroom so long as there is no television present.
- Enforce consistent routines before starting any work time. Whether it be homework, chores around the house, or practising an instrument, consistency helps children stay focused and organized, which leads to better success rates and higher grades than if they were trying new things sporadically throughout the day.
- Find activities that interest your child to keep them engaged and interested in their work; this could be anything from games on the computer or playing outside with friends, depending on what they enjoy most.
- Help children understand what is expected of them at school by asking questions about their homework assignments before going off for a play break after it’s been completed (this will prevent any confusion with expectations).
- Create an environment around your home where academic success is acceptable and encouraged. Make sure no books are lying around if you do not have time to read together as a family; create a space where paper-and-pencil practice happens daily, such as the kitchen table or living room couch instead of TV territory. Remember or praise hard work and effort, not an achievement.
- Be flexible with the child’s schedule: if they are more alert in the morning hours, they can have their favourite breakfast before school starts, so they don’t crash once inside. If they need a few moments of silence after waking up for homework or chores on weekends, set aside time for this while others get dressed and out the door.
- Involve other family members! Let your child know that you will always be there when needed and ask what support can be provided by siblings/parents during class changes at school? What activities do siblings enjoy doing together?
- Find ways to help students learn how to advocate for themselves and find resources about teaching disabilities online (a tool like Google could be helpful).
- Consider moving your child to a different classroom, if appropriate. Talk with school staff about how you can support them and what accommodations are needed before making the change.
- Explore other ways they can get involved at school outside of traditional learning settings – read books together, volunteer in classrooms as reading buddies, help organize events like book fairs or fun days that showcase their talents!
Conclusion
We hope the information in this blog post has provided you with some insights into dealing with your child’s learning disabilities. If not, we encourage you to keep searching for answers and talking about any concerns that come up. The most crucial thing is ensuring that your child feels supported by their family as they navigate these challenges and don’t feel alone or misunderstood.
As parents, it can be challenging to see our children struggle, but if we take an active role in supporting them throughout the process of adapting and adjusting to a new way of living, things will get better over time! We wish you all the best on your journey together.
Also Read:
6 Signs that your kid might have a learning disability
The Ultimate Guide to Identify and Help Kids with the Most Common Learning Disability
The Ultimate Schooling Guide for Children with Learning Disability
