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Parents are Important When parents become involved as full members of the educational team, the learning disabled have a greater opportunity to reach their full potential. Parental knowledge and persuasion creates services and programs. Know your child's strengths Children with learning disabilities are often highly intelligent, possess leadership skills, or are superior in music, arts, sports, or other creative areas. Rather than focusing solely on your child's deficiencies, emphasize and reward your child's strengths. Encourage your child in areas of interest outside the classroom. Collect information about your child's performance Meet with your child's teachers, tutors, and school support personnel to understand performance levels, and attitude toward school. Observe your child's ability to study, complete homework, and finish tasks that you assign at home. Have your child evaluated Ask school authorities to provide a comprehensive
educational evaluation including assessment tests. Tests for learning disabilities are referred to as assessment tests because they evaluate and measure areas of strengths and weaknesses. A comprehensive evaluation,
however, includes a variety of procedures in addition to the assessment tests, such as interviews, direct observation, reviews of your child's educational and medical history, and conferences with professionals who work with your
child. Either you or the school can request this evaluation, but it is given only with your written permission. Since you are one of the best observers of your child's development, it is important that you be an active
participant in the evaluation process. If you don't understand the test results, ask questions! Work as a team to help your child If the evaluation shows that your child has a learning disability, your child is eligible for special education services. If eligible, you will work with a team
of professionals, including your child's teacher, to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP is a written document summarizing your child's current educational performance; annual goals and short-term
objectives; nature and projected duration of your child's special services; and methods for evaluating progress. For students 16 years and older, and IEP must include a transition plan to move the student from school to the
"real world." If your child does not qualify for special education, it is still important for you to work with your child's teacher to develop an informal program that meets your child's learning needs. You are a vital part
of your child's education! Organize information about your child's learning disability 1. Start a folder of all letters and materials related to your child's education. 2. Add copies of school files and names and dates of all tests and results, including medical
exams and information from other professionals. 3. Collect samples of schoolwork that demonstrate your child's difficulties, as well as strengths. 4. Keep a contact log of discussions with professionals. 5. Keep a log of your own observations. This information will help you monitor your child's progress. Review it with other professionals as your child grows. Talk to your child about learning disabilities Children with learning disabilities must be assured
that they are not dumb or lazy. They are intelligent people who have trouble learning because their minds process words or information differently. It is not easy to talk with your child about a disability that you do
not fully understand. Be informed. It is important to be honest and optimistic - explain to your child that they struggle with learning, but that they can learn. Focus on your child's talents and strengths.
Tell them you are confident that with effort and the right help that they will be able to meet the challenge and succeed! Work with your child at home Parents are a child's first and best teachers. Show your child
that reading can be fun. Read to your child every day. Visit the library frequently. Point out words on billboards and traffic signs as you drive, on food labels at the grocery store, on packages, mail and
letters. Play word games. Set an example by giving your child a chance to see you reading and writing at home. Help your child become a better reader (for early readers) 1. Work on the
relationship between letters and words. Teach younger children how to spell a few special words, such as their own names, the names of pets or favorite cartoon characters, or words they see frequently like "stop" or "exit." 2. Help your child understand that language is made up of sounds, syllables, and words. Sing songs and read rhyming books. Play word games; for instance, think of words that rhyme with "dog" or begin with
"p." 3. Teach letter sounds. Sound out letters and words. Make up your own silly words with your child. 4. Sound out new words and encourage your child to spell by speaking each sound aloud. 5. Notice spelling patterns. Point out similarities between words, such as fall, ball, and hall or cat, fat, and hat. Helping with schoolwork
1. Show an interest in your child's homework 2. Help your child organize homework materials before beginning. 3. Establish a regular time with your child to do homework – developing a schedule helps avoid procrastination. 4. Find a
specific place for your child to do homework that has lots of light, quiet, and plenty of workspace. 5. Encourage your child to ask questions and search for answers, taking the time to figure out correct answers. 6. Make sure your child backs up answers with facts and evidence. 7. Practice school-taught skills at home. 8. Relate homework to your child's everyday life. For instance, teach fractions
and measurements as you prepare a favorite food together. 9. Be a role model – take the opportunity to read a book or newspaper or write a letter while your child studies. 10. Praise
your child for both the small steps and big leaps in the right direction. |
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Tel: 601-362-1667 |
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Fax: 601-362-9180 |
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Email: ldams@bellsouth.net |
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