It can be difficult to realize that your child may have a learning disability.  All parents want their children to succeed in life.  While a learning disability can create unique challenges, with proper attention children can still able to reach their potential.

The following is a guide of how to help your child with a learning disability

Identify which Type of Learning Disability Your Child Has

There are several different types of learning disabilities including: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, and Auditory Challenges.  The first step is to have a proper assessment of your child to determine which disability is affecting him.  It is also important to learn about the disability so that you understand what your child is going through and the unique challenge that he faces.

You can visit a past post to learn more about different types of learning disabilities and how they affect your child.

Assess the Spectrum of the Disability

If your child has ADHD, this doesn’t mean he is like every other child with ADHD.  Just like all children are different, all disabilities are expressed differently in each child seen through a spectrum.  Discovering where your child is on that spectrum will help determine the type and amount of treatment or extra attention that he will need. Children on the weak side of the spectrum will not be affected by the disability as much, and will respond faster to treatments.  Children on the strong side of the spectrum will need more attention and possibly multiple techniques to overcome this challenge.

Identify the Specific Life Challenges

After you know which disability and where on the spectrum your child is, you must then identify the specific areas of life that are now affected.  How does this disability manifest itself in school, at home, and in social settings?

What Does Your Child Need to Overcome these Challenges

Children that are challenged in a specific environment, especially in school, are at risk of falling behind.  To prevent this, first it is important to make others aware of the disability.  If the teacher knows your child is struggling she may be able to give extra attention to him throughout the day. Second, you need to arrange the tools or extra help necessary for your child to succeed.  For example having a shadow (helper just for your child) during class can provide them with the ability to keep up with the pace of the class.  Ideally, if possible moving your child to a class or school that deals specifically with these types of issues can make a big difference.

Turning From Disability to Ability

After providing your child with the tools he need to keep up, you can now focus on creating a plan to create the ability in your child.  Disabilities don’t have to be permanent.  Learning disabilities are typically caused by an issue rooted in the brain.  The neural connections that would normally allow a specific action or function are not strong enough, or not even there.   Studies on the brain show that through brain training, one is capable of rewiring these connections, developing critical skills they may be lacking.  You can visit the following page to learn more about the science of brain training and how it works.

By following these steps and giving your child the proper attention and tools he needs, he will be able to grow and achieve success in life.

Have personal questions about your child? Get a free assessment today and discover how our program can help.

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