Success & Support

This may be the most important piece I will write. The dynamics of the family can make or break the success of a school age student as an adult. There can be resentment from the other family members when it becomes clear that the student with learning disabilities starts to get extra attention from everyone around them. It’s No one’s fault! There can be frustration from the lack of support from the school administration or not knowing the right questions to ask to find the right help. As a parent of a student who is showing signs of struggling in school. You are the front line of defense for your child. You can make some calls to the area Psychological offices looking for someone who does Psychological Evaluations for Learning Disabilities. It is an all day test and does cost, but worth every dime. Minors as young as 18 months old can be tested to see where they’re struggling and strengths are. Once the test has been done and report is in hand, you now have some very important information for their success.

Now with a better understanding of how their brain works, the next step is on the adults and their approach. Especially word usage when it comes to emotional support. Whether your student wants to be an artist, an electrician, an astronaut or anything they want to be. Support them 1,000% on what ever it is, even if you don’t agree.

Here is an example; If they want to become a florist and you joyfully tell them to go ahead and do that. Then later on in their venture when learning all things plants and start to question them on their approach to success, question them on their ability on being successful at it to see if they’re serious about it or not will affect their self trust. It may seem minor while being the devils advocate thinking it would help them to open their eyes to be more successful. The problem with that thought process is you’re questioning their ability to be successful and instead talking them out of going after that dream. Don’t play the devils advocate with your children, no matter who they are. Don’t talk them into a business and then question them on their motives, approach and ability. They will spend their life working dead end jobs because they were questioned on everything they tried to do.

Here is another example; If the young adult wants to go to college and work towards a dream, say, small business management and the college degree is going to help them go after it. Do not make this statement: “Why, you don’t have enough experience!" Especially when the family is paying for this new found college degree. With so much question and doubt stated in those six words, the student (with low self-esteem already) won’t even bother trying. Why should they, the family doesn’t think they can be successful at it, why bother! Don’t be cruel.

For a student and adult with learning disability, there is no such thing as Positive Criticism. To us, it is an oxymoron and not proper english! It can either be criticism or compliments. Cant have both! So, the lesson here is word usage is very important to the success or failure of your student or adult! Don’t give up!