How to help your child with a learning disability become a successful adult (Part 2)

Here are three more attributes of successful adults with learning disabilities:

4.  Goal-setting
Successful individuals set goals that are specific, yet flexible so that they can be changed to adjust to specific circumstances and situations.

Ask yourself:  My child.....
*  Sets academic goals
*  Sets non-academic goals
*  Can prioritize goals
*  Knows when a goal is realistic
*  Develops plans/steps for reaching goals
*  Understands the relationship between short and long-term goals
*  Finds alternative ways to reach goals when faced with obstacles
*  Understands the need to work with others to reach goals

5.  Presence and use of effective support systems
Both successful and unsuccessful individuals with learning disabilities receive some form of support and assistance from others over the course of their lives.  Guidance, support, and encouragement come from family members, friends, mentors, teachers, therapists, and co-workers.  However, as successful individuals move into adulthood, they attempt to reduce their dependence on others.  

Ask yourself:  My child.......
*  Knows when he/she needs help
*  Knows how to get help
*  Seeks help when needed
*  Is willing to use technological supports
*  Is aware of laws to help persons with learning disabilities
*  Understand the benefits of using support systems
*  Develop strategies for finding, accessing, utilizing, and maintaining support systems
*  Recognize "triggers" indicating that help is needed
*  Learn to accept help, give help, and develop trust in others
*  Understand laws that mandate support/assistance for persons with disabilities
*  Model how to ask for help in daily family interactions
*  Share stories (tell, read, see movies) about individuals who needed help from others, how they got it, and the benefits of receiving it

6.  Emotional coping strategies
Successful individuals appear to have developed effective means of reducing and coping with stress, frustration, and the emotional aspect of their learning disabilities.  They:
-  are aware of situations that trigger stress
-  recognize the development of stress
-  have access to and uses coping strategies

Ask yourself:  My child......
*  Is aware of how his/her emotional reactions affect behavior
*  Is aware of situations that cause stress, frustration and emotional upset
*  Has developed strategies for avoiding or reducing stress
*  Is able to recognize the onset of stress
*  Knows when outside support/help is needed