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eLearning Series: Learning Disabilities
The Bottom Line On Learning Disabilities
( 50 articles in this series )
How
Parents and Kids Cope with ADHD and Learning Disabilities
Children
can be challenging enough without even thinking about a
child with ADHD and a learning disability. It is hard enough for most children to sit still and stay calm.
For a child with ADHD, this task is even harder. Parents and
teachers can get to their wits end and not know what to do
or how to help themselves help their child. The ADHD child
cannot stay focused on any one single thing for too long. This
is not only frustrating for parents it can cause the child
to have a learning disability. How can parents calm these little
minds down enough to grab their attention so they can learn?
There are some things that can be done to help parents cope
with this ongoing battle.
Make
sure your child has been evaluated appropriately and diagnosed. This will enable your child to get help in school
and also make his or her teacher aware that the child has a
disability, not a behavior problem. If any medications are
recommended for your child, get a second opinion. This will
allow you to know if your child really does require medication
or if there is some therapy available that will help instead.
If it is deemed that your child needs medication then make
sure they have it. Watch to make sure it is working and there
are no severe side effects. This is your first step in helping
your child manage their disorder. Think of what your expectations
are and reevaluate them and make them something your child
can do. Provide your child with organization skills that can
work for them and are easy to follow.
Have
clear outlooks for all the things you want your child to
do. Make sure you have them look into your eyes as you speak
and repeat back to you what was said. This will let you know
that your child heard you and now can be accountable for the
task. Give praise for tasks well done and for having good listening
skills. Allow your child to make choices on their own from
time to time. Let the child feel independent and in control
of themselves. Make sure you tell your child how to get your
attention appropriately and what you expect. Let them know
that negative behavior will not get the results they want and
give examples of a good way. Make things fun. Chores don’t
have to be mundane and if they are fun and interactive, your
child might respond better. Laugh and praise while the child
is accomplishing a set of chores or instructions. This will
help to keep them engaged and focused.
When it comes to helping your child stay focused on their
schoolwork, make sure you provide an area of study
that is quiet. The less stimuli they have, the more focused they will
be able to stay on the task at hand. Sit with your child and
give cues and prompts to help them. Ask the child questions
about what they are reading and writing about to make sure
they are soaking in what is being said and done. Have a strict
routine to make sure that your child knows what will happen
next. If they know what to expect, then it can make focusing
easier. Their mind won’t wander, thinking about what might
or might not happen soon, they will know. Make sure to provide
your child with the modifications that are necessary to keep
them from struggling. Your child will be more prone to lose
interest in something if it is too frustrating for them. That
is when their mind will wander and they will get antsy. Between
lessons makes sure your child gets up and stretches. Pent up
energy will not help your child focus.
The
more time you spend helping your child be the best, the
more you know that you are doing everything you can to help
them succeed. There are times when parenting any child is stressful.
When your child has ADHD and LD, it can be twice as hard to
figure out what to do. Make sure you give them the time they
need and be very clear. This will reduce your stress and help
your child succeed at accomplishing your wishes. This will
also give them the foundation in later life to accomplish their
own goals and dreams with the tools you gave them.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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