School Year Survival Guide: Helping Your Child with a Learning Disability Thrive

The most depressing words in the English language could be: “Try harder!” Students with learning disabilities will usually tell you, “I was trying, but because I didn’t do well, nobody believed me.”

Learning disabilities are still not well understood. Information about learning disabilities is not always understood and misconceptions abound among the public and with educational professionals. The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada has great information about learning disabilities if you’d like to know more. https://www.ldac-acta.ca/learn-more/ld-basics/

In general terms, learning disabilities can affect the following:
Dyslexia – processing language and can include reading, writing, and spelling.

Dyscalculia – math skills and concepts and can include computation, remembering math facts, concepts of time, money and grasping math concepts.

Dysgraphia – written expression and can include handwriting, spelling, expressing ideas on paper.

Dyspraxia – fine motor skills and can include coordination and manual dexterity.

Auditory Processing Disorder – interpreting auditory information and can include language development and reading.

Visual Processing Disorder – interpreting visual information and can include reading, writing and math.

ADHD is also looked at as a learning disability.

Prepping For the School Year

1. Understand Your Child’s Strengths and Challenges
Do you have a clear understanding of the challenges that your child faces? If you aren’t clear, you can reach out to us to book time to look at the areas of challenge. And while we’re there, let’s look at the strengths. What are they good at? Where do they excel? What comes easily? We can use an understanding of their strengths to help them when they struggle with their challenges. It’s also important to understand that children with a learning ‘difference’ or ADHD aren’t broken. We also want to remember that their ‘milestones’ will be different than neurotypical children, and that’s okay. They shine in their own special way!

2. Routines
Let’s face it. We all do better when we have a routine. Building a routine that works for you is important, and it’s important to have your child involved in the development of that routine. It also helps build an important life skill. Building a routine helps your child know what the expectations are, and having it up where they can see it will help with any executive function challenges.

Keep the routine simple and visual. Have fun with it and don’t pack it too full of activities and chores. School can be a big energy burner, especially when you learn differently. A good routine might go through several variations before you hit on something that works, so don’t give up and don’t laminate it. You’ll want to change it as required.

3. Communicate with the School
Reach out to the school and let them know you are willing to work with them to ensure that your child has the support they need. This can also benefit their teacher and help them by providing information on your child’s strengths and challenges. You might want to contact your child’s school to set up a meeting and ensure that the start of the school year goes smoothly. It can be a good time to review their IPP and make sure it covers the areas of support that your child might need.

4. Creating Support at Home
Having a quiet and organized study space might work for some students, but not all of them. What does your child need to get their work done? Do they need support? It might be best to have them do their work where you are and can support them by helping them stay on task, answer questions, and understand questions that don’t make sense to them.

Keep distractions to a minimum, which means that phones go away while homework is being done. Assure them they can catch up with their friends once they are finished. If you notice they are getting sidetracked easily, look at what might be happening. Is the task too difficult? Are they having trouble understanding the assignment. These are common reasons why they might not be making progress.

5. Encourage Self-Advocacy
When your child runs into a question or problem they can’t solve on their own, you can encourage them by teaching them to understand and express their needs. For example: If they don’t understand the question, what can they do? If they don’t know when the assignment is due, what can they do? You can have them practice with you to become more comfortable with asking questions. And assure them that asking questions means they are smart and are doing what they can to build confidence and independence. Important skills for as they grow.

6. Encouraging a Positive Mindset
Celebrate their small victories and progress. Remember that getting through school with a learning difference isn’t easy and they can easily become discouraged. Encouragement builds a growth mindset and builds resilience. Provide that unconditional emotional support and reassurance and they will flourish.

If you need help or support, reach out to our team at CanLearn. We understand and we’re here to help you and your family.