How to help your child with a learning disability become a successful adult (Part 1)

Dear Parent, according to a 20-year study done with children with learning disabilities, the following attributes contributed to them becoming successful adults:

1.  Self-awareness
Successful people with learning disabilities are aware of the types of problems they have, including academic problems like reading and math, academic-related problems such as attentional or organizational difficulties, and non-academic difficulties such as motor deficits or emotional/behavioral problems.  They recognize their talents along with accepting their limitations. 

Ask yourself:  My child.....
*  Is aware of his/her academic strengths
*  Is aware of his/her academic weaknesses
*  Is aware of his/her non-academic strengths
*  Is aware of his/her non-academic weaknessess
*  Is aware of his/her special talents and abilities
*  Is aware of his/her feelings, opinions, and values
*  Is able to match activities to strengths
*  Understands his/her specific learning disability
*  Accepts his/her learning disability
*  Uses strategies to work around the learning disability

2.  Pro-activity
Successful adults with learning disabilities are generally actively engaged in the world around them.  They participate in community activities and take an active role in their families, neighborhoods and friendship groups.

Ask yourself:  My child......
*  Participates in classroom and extra-curricular social activities
*  Makes decisions and acts upon those decisions
*  Understands the advantages/disadvantages of making certain decisions
*  Recognizes when a decision needs to be made
*  Knows how to evaluate decisions
*  Takes responsibility for his/her actions
*  Feels he/she has control over his/her world
*  Is assertive and stands up for him/herself
*  Is self-confident

3.  Perseverance

Many persons with learning disabilities show great perseverance and keep pursuing their chosen path despite difficulties.  However, successful individuals demonstrate and additional important ability - knowing when to quit.  Although they rarely give up on a general goal, depending on the situation, they may change the way they go about achieving it, thereby improving their chances for success.

Ask yourself:  My child.....

*  Understands the benefits of perseverance

*  Keeps working at academic tasks despite difficulties

*  Keeps working at non-academic tasks despite difficulties

*  Knows how to deal with obstacles/setbacks

*  Knows how to adjust to change

*  Knows when to quit

To be continued.......... :-)