You have a child that struggles, and as a parent, you are struggling, too.
You are not alone.
Unique children require unique handling. Here’s a good starting point.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to learn or succeed in academics, language, and other cognitive skills. These difficulties can affect a person’s ability to read, write, practice math, understand information, and communicate effectively.
How Does Having a Child with a Learning Disability Affect Parents?
Having a child with a learning disability isn’t easy. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve experienced some or all of the following:
Emotional impact: You may experience a range of emotions, including frustration, guilt, anxiety, and depression. You may feel overwhelmed by the challenges of supporting your child’s academic and emotional needs.
Financial impact: The cost of supporting a child with a learning disability can be high. You may need to pay for tutoring, therapy, assistive technology, and other services to help your child succeed.
Time and energy: Your child may be time-consuming and require a great deal of energy. You may need to attend meetings with teachers and healthcare providers, provide additional academic support at home, and manage your child’s emotional needs.
Parent-child relationship: Your parent-child relationship may be strained. You may need to provide additional discipline and support, which can be challenging and stressful. Often, home is not harmonious.
Social impact: You may experience social isolation due to the demands of caring for a child with a learning disability. You may also face stigma and discrimination from others who do not understand your child’s needs.
You must prioritize your self-care and seek support from healthcare providers, community resources, and other parents of children with learning disabilities. By taking care of your own well-being, you can better support your child’s academic and emotional needs.
5 Tips for Managing Your Child’s Learning Disability at Home
Parenting a neurodiverse child can be challenging, but it can be a positive and rewarding experience with the right approach. Before you begin to implement any strategies, remember that you know your child better than anyone else. What may work for one child may not work for another. Consider your kid, your family dynamic, and the areas you’d like to work on first.
1. Create a structured and predictable routine: Honestly, life functions better when systems are in place. Children with learning disabilities benefit from routines that provide structure and predictability.
Create a daily routine with specific homework times, meals, and playtime. Stick to the routine as much as possible, as this can help your child feel more in control and less anxious. When we know what to expect, we ditch that fear of the unknown.
2. Use multi-sensory teaching techniques: Children with learning disabilities often benefit from multi-sensory techniques that engage multiple senses, such as sight, sound, touch, and movement. For example, if your child is struggling with reading, try using audiobooks or incorporating physical movement into reading activities.
Make it a game if you need your kid to clean his room! For example:
- How fast can you fill this trash can?
- How many pieces of clothes can you pick up before this timer goes off?
- I bet I can clean these dirty dishes before you can make your bed!”
3. Provide clear and concise instructions: Children with learning disabilities may struggle to process and remember complex instructions. It’s just part of their neurological makeup.
To help your child succeed, provide clear and concise instructions, and break tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps. Consider checking off the tasks on a visual chart so the child sees how much he has accomplished.
4. Foster a positive and supportive learning environment: Our diverse learners may struggle with self-esteem and motivation. When you know you are different, you feel different.
Your visual chart of daily tasks can function like a trophy case, full of stickers and smiley faces that showcase all the positive behaviors you’ve seen. Celebrate every success, no matter how small.
5. Collaborate with your child’s school and healthcare providers: It is essential to have a support network. Teachers and doctors don’t know what they don’t know.
Start a conversation. Collaborate with your child’s school and healthcare providers to develop a comprehensive plan for managing your child’s learning disability at home. This may include working with a tutor or therapist, accessing assistive technology, or making modifications to your child’s learning environment.
Remember, every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another, so it’s essential to tailor these tips to your child’s individual needs. With patience, perseverance, and the right support, you can help your child with learning disabilities succeed and thrive.
Discover a Supportive Learning Environment
Are you searching for a school environment that can effectively support your child’s learning needs? The Broach School specializes in providing a tailored education for students with special needs. Connect with us today at 904-637-0300 or schedule a tour at Broach School to learn more about how we can help your child succeed.
