It is never too early to seek help for your child, but waiting too long could be very harmful. If you see several of these signs over a period of time, consider the possibility of a learning disability. Knowing what a difference early help can make will help you lose your fear and take the next steps to get help for your child!

 

LOSING THE FEAR

 

 

It can be hard to acknowledge that your child is having difficulty in school—let alone a potential learning disability. Perhaps you have worried that by calling attention to your child’s learning problems he might be labeled “slow” or a “discipline problem,” or sent to the wrong class.

 

 

What many parents—and their children—don’t realize is that most kids with learning disabilities are just as intelligent as their peers. Their brains are simply wired differently for learning. They need to be taught in ways that are best adapted to how they process information.

 

And, scientists and researchers are learning more every day about learning disabilities. Their research provides hope and direction. From research we now know that:

 

• Receiving help in the early grades greatly improves the chances for these kids to adapt learning strategies that will enable them to succeed in school. Among children who struggle with basic reading and language skills—the most common learning problems—75% of those who do not receive help until the third grade will struggle with reading throughout their lives. But if those same kids receive appropriate help by the first grade, fully 90% of them will achieve normal reading ability.

• By identifying what is causing your child’s learning problems, you are one step closer to getting the help you both need. Your child can still have hope for a wonderful future if given the proper tools and learning strategies.

 

 

GETTING HELP

 

 

Though the process of getting help may seem overwhelming, finding support for your child—and for yourself—is easier than you might think. In most cases, talking with your child’s teacher should be the first step.

 

Share your concerns with your child’s teacher and ask about her observations of your child’s performance, interactions with his peers, etc. Together you may come up with strategies to try in the classroom and at home to support your child’s learning needs.

 

Most teachers want to help and will work with you to try and meet your child’s learning needs. If you feel it may be necessary, your child’s teacher can also help to arrange a full evaluation of how well your child is performing in school.

 

Also, be sure your child has had a thorough physical examination by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner to assure that there are no major health problems that might be interfering with learning. Be especially certain to have eyes and ears checked for correctable vision and hearing problems.

 

 

USEFUL TIPS WHEN MEETING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER

 

 

• Write down any questions you have before entering the meeting. These questions should be geared toward gaining a greater understanding of your child’s problems and how to address them in the school setting.

 

• Review records of previous conferences and educational decisions before attending conferences and be prepared to share them with school personnel.

 

• Be ready to share your observations about your child’s academic progress. Listen well and participate in the meeting with an open mind, knowing that you are all there to facilitate school success for your child.

 

• Keep careful and detailed notes at the meeting. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you do not understand something that was said.

 

• Ask for information on the curriculum and how students’ work is evaluated so that you know how to gauge your child’s progress.

 

• Appreciate that teachers must juggle the unique needs of many students. Work with school personnel to come up with strategies that are practical, given the realities of the school and the classroom.

 

• Acknowledge that the major motivation for success must come from your child. Work with teachers to keep expectations high and to nurture an enthusiasm for learning.

 

• Agree on how you and the teacher will make follow-up contacts to review progress.

 

• Now that you know the first step to take, there are several more steps you can take to find support and make sure your child gets the right kind of help!

 

USEFUL TIPS WHEN MEETING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER

 

The most important thing you must determine is the source of your child’s learning problem. Time is of the essence—if your child does, in fact, have a learning disability, “wait and see” almost always means “wait and fail.” If you act early, you will gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing what is causing your child’s learning difficulties. You also will be helping to ensure that she overcomes her struggles and enjoys success in school.

 

USEFUL TIPS WHEN MEETING WITH YOUR CHILD’S TEACHER

 

• Monitor your child’s progress. Watch your child’s progress to be sure that your child’s needs are being met. Keep your child’s education folder up to date, adding new samples of schoolwork and test results. If your child is not making progress, discuss your observations with school personnel and work together to make changes. You may need to ask for a comprehensive educational evaluation to determine if your child may be eligible for special education services.

 

• Learn as much as you can. The more you understand about the way your child learns and the help that’s available, the better equipped you will be to help your child succeed. If it turns out that your child does have a learning disability, you also need to be aware of your rights and protections under the law.

 

• Join with others who care. By joining with other parents and professionals you can increase awareness of the issue, dispel popular misconceptions, help establish educational systems that provide for the needs of children with learning disabilities and get support for yourself. Join LDAU today!

 

• Enjoy your child and encourage an interest in learning. You can encourage your child’s interests outside the classroom and create a home environment that supports the way your child learns. Rather than focusing solely on your child’s deficiencies, emphasize and reward your child’s strengths.