School Counselor Connection
Learning Disability Tips
http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/teachingtwo.html
As a parent, you may want to learn ways to help your child at home by building on his strengths rather than magnifying his weaknesses. Some helpful tips for parents of children with learning disabilities are:
1) Ask questions. Learn as much as possible about your child's problem.
2) Set aside some time each day to be alone with your child. Give him/her activities to do in which he is guaranteed to succeed.
3) Be as patient as possible. Keep directions short and simple.
4) Don't allow your child to become overly frustrated. If the task is too difficult, move to something easier. Stop while he is feeling successful.
5) Praise the child for even the smallest success. Do not call attention to the mistakes.
6) Listen with your eyes and ears. Tune in to him/her.
7) Relax with him/her. Enjoy your time together.
8) Be honest. Don't pretend that there is nothing wrong. He/She knows better.
9) Let him/her know that help is available. He/She can learn--and you are there to help him/her.
10) Don't blame yourself. Get help when you need it. Talk to other parents with the same problem.
Remember that you are human, too, and you have your limitations as well as your own life to live.
Reference: "Helping Your Child Handle Stress," By Katharine Kersey
Five Rules for Students with LD to Live By
Rules, rules, and more rules. They're everywhere! But if you have learning disabilities, here are five rules to help you be what you want to be:
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Consider everything an experiment.
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Learn by trial and error, and don't avoid the errors.
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Don't spend energy worrying; just get started and it'll work out.
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Get good at something other than school-related work (like skateboarding or cooking).
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Work hard. Then work harder.
Richard Wanderman. Reprinted with permission from The LD Reader.