Children with learning difficulties puzzle parents with their many abilities and disabilities. It takes parents and affected child time and a lot of convincing to embrace the concept that being different does not mean being inferior. It is only natural as loving parents to worry about what the future holds for our endearing child. How will he learn in school? Will he have friends and be happy? Is he undergoing any form of discomfort? How will he survive all on his own? What could be responsible for this? Is he just naturally lazy and doesn’t want to learn? We ponder on a lot of unanswered questions and try as much as possible to look for solutions.
- Identify early: Discovering a child’s special needs is often a confusing and painful process. Parents need to be watchful and discover earlier what could be wrong with their kid because learning disabilities could be subtle and difficult to notice.
- Promote self-esteem: All children need love, support and encouragement and even more so for children with learning disabilities. Positive reinforcement can help ensure that they emerge with a strong sense of self-worth, confidence, and determination to move ahead.
- Take charge of your child’s education: Children with learning disabilities often have clusters of difficulties that lead to poor academic performance or low achievement. Parents have an assiduous role to play. You are your child biggest advocate. You may have to speak up numerous times to get special help for him. Embrace your role as a proactive parent and improve on your communication.
- Empathize healthy lifestyle: It may seem like common sense that learning involves the body as well as the brain, but your child’s eating, sleeping and exercise habits may be more important than you think. If children with learning disabilities are getting enough sleep and exercise, they will be able to focus, concentrate and try harder.
- Addressing difficulties with time and space: Sometimes, having a child with learning difficulties can be frustrating and test your patience. You may need to spend additional time with them on their homework, collaborate more with their teachers and overall expend more energy on them.
- Never give up: Your child needs you the most during his struggles, because he might face a lot of putdowns, lowered expectation and doubt from people. This may come from teachers, peers, neighbors and even family members. Remaining optimistic and supportive during these times will help your long- term relationship with your child.