Yes! Your Child Can

1. Early intervention is crucial for children with learning differences

"Early intervention is extremely important. If you have those gut feelings and are reading this book, you have taken the first step in getting the help your child needs to succeed."

Trust your instincts. As a parent, you often have a "gut feeling" when something isn't quite right with your child's development or learning. Don't ignore these feelings or wait for your child to "snap out of it." Early intervention can make a significant difference in your child's academic and social success.

Seek professional evaluation. If you notice signs of learning differences, such as difficulty with reading, writing, or attention, consult with your pediatrician and consider having your child evaluated by a neuropsychologist, clinical psychologist, or developmental pediatrician. These professionals can provide a comprehensive assessment of your child's strengths and challenges, leading to targeted interventions and support.

Access available resources. Many states offer early intervention services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These services may be free or low-cost and can include:

• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Special education services

2. Focus on a child's passions and strengths to unlock their potential

"The children I have taught are interested in learning. The key to unlocking their wealth of knowledge lies in accessing their passions."

Identify interests. Pay attention to what excites and engages your child. Whether it's dinosaurs, cooking, or space exploration, these passions can serve as powerful motivators for learning.

Incorporate passions into learning. Work with teachers and educational specialists to integrate your child's interests into their curriculum. This approach can help:

• Increase motivation and engagement
• Improve focus and attention
• Boost confidence and self-esteem
• Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Leverage strengths. Every child has unique strengths and talents. Identify these areas and use them as a foundation for building academic and life skills. For example, a child who loves building with LEGO bricks might excel in spatial reasoning and engineering concepts.

3. Assemble a supportive team of professionals to guide your child's education

"Building the right team can make all the difference in your child's success."

Core team members. A comprehensive support team for a child with learning differences typically includes:

• Parents or guardians
• Classroom teachers
• Educational specialists or tutors
• School administrators
• Medical professionals (e.g., pediatrician, psychiatrist)
• Therapists (e.g., speech, occupational, physical)

Facilitate communication. Ensure that all team members are in regular contact and working towards common goals. This may involve:

• Regular team meetings
• Shared progress reports
• Coordinated intervention strategies

Choose the right educational specialist. When selecting an educational specialist or tutor, consider:

• Their qualifications and experience with learning differences
• Their approach to teaching and motivation
• Their ability to communicate with other team members
• Their rapport with your child

4. Understand the impact of ADHD and the role of medication

"From my experience, once children with attention issues are put on medication the learning becomes easier. Their learning differences and attention issues don't entirely go away, but they are able to access more of what they learn once they are on medication."

Recognize ADHD symptoms. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can manifest as:

• Inattention: Difficulty focusing, easily distracted, forgetful
• Hyperactivity: Constant movement, fidgeting, talking excessively
• Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, interrupting others, difficulty waiting

Consider medication. While the decision to use medication is personal, it can be an effective tool for managing ADHD symptoms. Benefits may include:

• Improved focus and attention
• Better impulse control
• Enhanced ability to learn and retain information

Combine approaches. Medication should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes:

• Behavioral strategies
• Educational support
• Lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, sleep habits)

5. Foster a love of reading through engaging, interest-based activities

"I never worried about what my own children or my students were reading as long as they were reading!"

Embrace diverse reading materials. Encourage reading in all forms, including:

• Comic books and graphic novels
• Magazines and newspapers
• Audiobooks
• Digital content

Read aloud together. Continue reading to your child even after they can read independently. This practice:

• Builds vocabulary and comprehension skills
• Creates positive associations with reading
• Allows for discussion of complex themes and ideas

Make reading interactive. Engage your child in the reading process through:

• Asking open-ended questions about the story
• Encouraging predictions and inferences
• Connecting the story to real-life experiences
• Creating art projects or dramatizations based on the book

6. Develop writing skills by tapping into a child's interests and creativity

"The way to build a child's confidence in writing is to try to make the writing process as enjoyable as you can."

Start with dictation. For younger children or those struggling with the physical act of writing, have them dictate their ideas while you write them down. This approach allows them to focus on creativity and storytelling without the frustration of handwriting or spelling.

Use visual prompts. Encourage writing through:

• Drawing pictures and writing captions
• Creating comic strips
• Making photo journals of family activities

Incorporate technology. Utilize assistive technology to support writing:

• Speech-to-text software
• Word prediction programs
• Digital graphic organizers

7. Cultivate executive functioning skills for academic and life success

"Executive functioning" is a very significant term when discussing students with learning differences. The signs of executive functioning disorder can look like ADHD because ADHD is actually a problem with executive functioning."

Understand executive functions. These critical skills include:

• Planning and prioritizing
• Organization
• Time management
• Working memory
• Emotional control
• Task initiation and completion

Teach strategies explicitly. Help your child develop these skills through:

• Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps
• Using visual schedules and checklists
• Teaching time management techniques
• Modeling problem-solving strategies

Practice in real-life contexts. Provide opportunities to apply executive functioning skills in everyday situations, such as:

• Planning a family outing
• Organizing a homework space
• Managing a weekly allowance

8. Embrace assistive technology to support learning and independence

"Assistive technology (AT) refers to any item, piece of equipment, device, or software program that can help children with learning differences."

Explore options. Common types of assistive technology include:

• Text-to-speech and speech-to-text software
• Word prediction programs
• Digital graphic organizers
• Audiobooks and digital textbooks
• Note-taking apps

Match technology to needs. Work with your child's educational team to identify the most appropriate assistive technology based on:

• Specific learning challenges
• Personal preferences and strengths
• Compatibility with school systems

Provide training and support. Ensure your child and their teachers are comfortable using the chosen technology through:

• Hands-on practice sessions
• Regular check-ins to assess effectiveness
• Ongoing technical support

9. Build confidence and resilience in children with learning differences

"Children with learning differences often experience higher stress and anxiety in school."

Celebrate strengths. Regularly acknowledge and praise your child's unique talents and abilities, both academic and non-academic.

Promote a growth mindset. Teach your child that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and perseverance. Encourage phrases like:

• "I can't do it yet, but I'm learning"
• "Mistakes help me grow"
• "I'll try a different strategy"

Provide opportunities for success. Create experiences where your child can showcase their strengths and feel competent, such as:

• Joining clubs or teams related to their interests
• Participating in community service activities
• Taking on leadership roles in family projects

10. Navigate school transitions and breaks with preparation and structure

"The best way to avoid stress and meltdowns is to be prepared for the vacation."

Maintain routines. During school breaks and transitions, try to:

• Keep consistent sleep schedules
• Continue regular meal times
• Provide structure for daily activities

Prepare for changes. Help your child adjust to new situations by:

• Discussing upcoming changes in advance
• Visiting new schools or classrooms before the first day
• Creating visual schedules or social stories about transitions

Balance academics and relaxation. During breaks:

• Incorporate light academic activities to maintain skills
• Allow plenty of time for rest and enjoyment
• Engage in family activities that combine learning and fun

Last updated: July 28, 2024