When you find out your child has a learning disability, a lot of thoughts can run through your mind. What did I do wrong? What will happen to my child? Will they ever be okay in life? Is it okay to be scared about this? You did nothing wrong. Nothing will happen to your child. Yes they will be okay in life. Yes it is okay to be scared right now. But you still need to be brave. Finding out that your child has a learning disability can be potentially devastating news to hear, but it should be taken with stride.
Life for your child may not be the way you planned it, but life for your child can still be a good one. Your role as a parent is to be that support system for your child. Here are some tips on how to go about this role:
1. As stated above, you should be your child's support system. This means encouraging them, keeping their emotional needs and esteem level at an all time high when homework and life at school can seem really discouraging to them. While you may have your feelings of intimidation on the subject of disability, it is important to realize your child and how they're feeling is more important.
2. Learn all that you can about learning disabilities and different tools you can potentially use to make learning for your child easier, whether it is through different sessions with therapists, or lessons at schools with teachers that specialize in teaching children with learning disabilities. Just because your child learns differently does not mean he or she is incapable of learning.
3. Your child looks up to you. Your child follows your lead, so it is important that you keep a steady head and optimistic outlook on the different challenges and activities your child must do in order to keep up and learn in the way that he or she can learn in. If your outlook on things is dim, their outlook will be the same. It is important to remember that you are not only their support system, but also their inspiration to go through the day to day routine.
4. Talk to parents who are in a similar situation as you. Sometimes it helps when you have support from someone who is going through what you're going through.
5. Don't allow your child to be lazy. A learning disability does not affect a child's ability to fend for him or herself. If the other kids in your household do chores, allow your child with a learning disability to have household chores too. Your child should feel like an equal and not be given special treatment just because he or she learns differently.
6. Praise, praise, praise. This is so crucial because when a child with a learning disability does not comprehend something and that is obvious, it can be a little frustrating. Whenever they do something well, make sure it is known. It does wonders for self-esteem.
7. Don't wear yourself out. Although adjusting and adapting to parenting a child with a learning disability can be an arduous task, it should not be something you spend 24/7 concentrated on or consumed with. Give yourself a break. It's a process and takes time to get the hang of things. Make sure you take care of your child, but also take care of you.
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