Growing up I had two close family members with learning differences. Each had very different personalities and individual strengths including math, life skills, spatial awareness, and building. However, they simultaneously struggled with attention difficulties, executive functioning skills, and literacy components. These struggles imposed challenges early on in their educational journeys for which they needed support. Navigating a learning disability with your child can be overwhelming and isolating. It may be difficult to know where to seek accurate information and helpful resources. We are here to help you! Here are some ways you can help support your child:
Early Identification and Intervention
An early, proactive approach to supporting a child’s learning difficulties can enhance self-esteem, reduce frustration, and promote a positive learning experience in the education system. First, if you suspect a learning disability with your child it is a good idea to share you concerns with your pediatrician as well as your child’s teacher/school right away. Then, your pediatrician and educational professionals can help keep an eye on developmental milestones early on (reading, writing, math, memory, motor skills, etc). If needed, a comprehensive evaluation may be recommended by your school district including an assessment by the school psychologist and other professionals (speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers, etc). Your pediatrician and school district are wonderful team members to collaborate with when supporting your child!
Understanding Learning Disabilities
The Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Alliance for Families have wonderful resources for parents and caregivers if you are navigating a learning disability with your child. Check out these websites and what they offer below:
Michigan Alliance for Families: provides ready-to-read information regarding a variety of disabilities, supports, and special education resources.
Michigan.Gov: provides information on education law, eligibility for services in school, and Individualized Education Plans (IEP).
Learning Disabilities Association of America: a supportive and inclusive website that helps parents/caregivers understand more about learning disabilities and their child’s rights.
Utilize Available Resources
There are many resources available to help children with learning disabilities succeed such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), assistive technology, tutors, and much more. Here are some resources you can utilize to help your child with a learning disability:
- Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): IEPs outline a child’s specific goals and accommodations to help support them in school.
- Assistive Technology: Speech-text supports for reading and writing.
- Tutoring and specialized education programs
