LD is no curse!

Has your child recently been diagnosed with a learning disability? Are you worried about how he/she will cope with studies at the school? Start with a positive mindset that it’s more important to help your child have a happy and fulfilling life than merely have academic success. This will take the pressure off the child.

If your child has a difficulty recognizing numbers and alphabets; adding simple single-digit numbers; recognizing upper-case alphabets and lower-case alphabets; or telling the difference between ‘d’ and ‘b’, then it’s time to consult a professional child psychologist for advice. If your child is diagnosed with any learning disability (LD), then the first thing to avoid is worrying.

Your job as a parent is not to ‘cure’ the learning disability but to equip your child with all the social and emotional tools that he or she needs to overcome all challenges posed by his/her LD. In the long run, facing and overcoming such challenges will help your child grow stronger.

Tips for parents of children with LDs :

• Don’t let class tests, burden of homework, and school bureaucracy distract you from what’s really important—giving your child plenty of emotional and moral support.

• Research on the specific kind of LD your child has. There are a few lesser known LDs and dyscalculia is one of them. Read books on it and keep in touch with a doctor.

• Learn about the programs and special therapies that are suitable for your child.

• Be an advocate for your child. You may have to speak up time and again to get special help for your child. You child may get bullied or ridiculed at school; handle it with a calm head.

• Remember that your influence outweighs all others. Your child will follow your lead. Approach learning challenges with a sense of humour. Don’t let the child sulk and/or become a loner.

• Focus on strengths, not just weaknesses.

• Your child is not defined by his or her learning disability. Focus on your child’s hidden talents. Your child’s schedule shouldn’t revolve around only overcoming disability. Focus on activities your child can do with a lot more ease – it differs from child to child. It could be painting for a few and singing for others.

• Remember successful people like Muhammad Ali, Steve Jobs, Agatha Christie, Abhishek Bachchan and Tom cruise were dyslexic during their childhoods. Never let LD bog you or your child down.

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