How to Help a Teenager With a Learning Disability

Children and teens who have learning disabilities sometimes have low self-esteem and suffer in more areas than just the classroom. Here are a few steps to help your teen build self-esteem and become an overall success.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Books On Tape
• Calculators
• Computer Mice
• Mouse Pads
• Printers
• Computer Desks
• Computers
• Educational Software
• Word-processing Software

1. Talk to your teenager about the learning disability. Discuss openly exactly where he or she is having trouble and what steps you will take together to overcome it. Involve his or her in the special education process as much as possible.
2. Involve yourself in your child's education. Go to meetings and school events. Follow his or her academic progress and actively participate in setting up your student's individual education plan. Consult with your child and his or her teacher about class work and projects.
3. Learn what modifications help your child academically. Try things such as calculators, computers or word processors, books on tape and tutors. Ask your teenager's teacher for ideas to try at home and offer your child's teacher your ideas as well.
4. Observe your teen's strengthes and build social opportunities on the activities your child excels in. You can join clubs or groups that promote any number of activities in a social group setting.
5. Interact with your child. The more social you are with his or her, the more practice your child will receive in social interaction.
6. Teach social skills. Practice hand shaking and eye contact in role-playing situations. Include skills such as taking turns in conversation and acknowledgment of personal space.
7. Allow your teen to make decisions. Teach his or her how to analyze a problem by posing choices, using everything from food and snacks to daily or family activities.
8. Create reward systems at home for chores, behavior or school progress. Keep track of a target area that needs improvement. Decide on target areas as a family and rewards and/or consequences to reinforce the behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Join parent clubs that encourage parent-child interaction.
• Sponsor or coach a club or an organization that your teen can be a part of.
• Participate in school functions and field trips.
• Discuss social situations you see or watch on television.
• Teach your child good grooming and discuss hygiene.
• Praise your teenager often.
• Find information on how to effectively parent your child with special needs if you experience extreme frustration dealing with your student.