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General Tips to Facilitate Learning for Children with Learning Disabilities
- Praise success and avoid frustration.
Try to set up activities, chores, and homework so that your child can succeed. Make sure to say something positive when things go well, but don't praise work if it isn't worthy of it. You also want to avoid frustration -- both yours and your child's. If your child is having difficulty with an activity, try to simplify or end the activity before she gives up or gets angry. - Say what you mean.
Children with learning disabilities often have difficulty understanding all they hear and read. Try to be clear when you speak to your child. Give simple directions and break down tasks. For example, ask your child to make his bed and put away his laundry rather than say "clean your room." Make sure he understands by asking him to repeat instructions before following them. Avoid sarcasm if your child does not understand your meaning. - Prepare your child for new situations.
Help your child succeed by telling her what to expect and how to behave in new or unfamiliar situations. Because she may not pick up the "unspoken rules" it is good to discuss what the expectations are. For example, if you are going to a movie theater, it may be helpful to remind your child not to talk during the movie. Letting your child know about a situation beforehand allows her think through her actions and be less anxious.