My Child has a Learning Disability – Now What?

As a mom (or a dad) we always want to make sure our children are doing well in life. This instinctive need to think of our children’s well-being is so strong that oftentimes we immediately jump to the worst conclusions when something happens to them.

I'm very guilty of this.

But there are also times when our parenting instincts do hit the nail on the head. Studies have shown that one in five children have learning disabilities like dyslexia or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

As parents, we see our children through rose-colored lenses, and for a child with learning disabilities, denying the fact that they do have a problem can prevent them from getting the support they need.

Get Early Evaluation

This goes the same way for teachers of students with learning disabilities. While 48% of parents believe their child can outgrow their disability, 33% of classroom teachers believe students are just being lazy.

And for these children whose reality is being denied, this robs them of receiving educational evaluations early on.

Because of the lack of proper interventions, most children who have learning disabilities don't do so well in school.

One-third of students end up repeating a grade. This increases their chances of dropping out of school too.

Did you know students with learning disabilities have a higher dropout rate than other students?

Parents and Teachers Need to Work Together

In order to find out if a child has a learning disability, it requires collaboration between parents and teachers. Comparing observations of how a child is doing in both home and school environments is the best way.

Struggling with academics, trouble with focusing during classroom sessions, and erratic moods and fatigue around schoolwork are all signs of a problem.

Having a Learning Disability doesn't Mean Your Child is Dumb

There’s a misconception that having a learning disorder means that the child is not intelligent. There are many individuals who are quite spectacular. 

Carol Greider for example, is a molecular biologist who has dyslexia. She won the Nobel Prize in 2009. Michael Phelps, an Olympic gold medalist, has ADHD.

The success stories are testaments to the fact that with the right support and the right guidance, even children with learning disabilities can get far in life.

Fully Support Their Needs

As parents, it’s important to be aware of the many misconceptions surrounding learning disabilities. Even though our children may not be as perfect as we think they are, it’s vital that we still support them and give them the right opportunities to allow them to excel despite having an obstacle.

If you think your child has a problem, talk to their teacher, or speak with the school guidance counselor.

You might also want to look into booking a consultation with a doctor specializing in learning disabilities. Look for schools and systems that offer specialized learning programs tailor-fit to your child’s needs.

Also, joining awareness groups to help break the stigma surrounding children with learning disabilities is a great idea too!