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I am the parent of a learning disabled child. He has problems processing written language. For lack of a specific name for his condition we call it dyslexia because it is in the dyslexia spectrum.
During his school years we dealt with depression and loss of self confidence. His classmates eased him constantly bcause he couldn't read as well as they did.
After much research and prayer I enrolled him in the special education program at school, His specialized education plan allowed him to move at his own rate, have extended deadlines for special projects and allowed him to take tests orally since his pencil and paper skills were very poor.
At home We would write notes to each other daily to improve his speling and handwriting.
He and his sister wrothe their desired weekly chores on slips of paper then drew four chores each.
He went through a phase dmanding to be excused to housthold chores because of his learning disability. Neither his father nor I allowed him to get way with that.
To build his self confidence I always took him shopping with me. I would tell him .At first I gave him choices that had pictures on them, like "Bring me a can of corn." As his reading skills improved I would say, "Bring me a can of Lobby's English peas."
in timehe was able to follow a written list and gather as the groceries by himself.
I encouraged his hobbies, specifically rock collecting and polishing rocks.
He also joined Boy Scouts and Little Dribblers. Both groups exposed him to different,kinder friends and allowed him to tst new skills. He had a real aptitude for electronics and fixing broken appliances. He became the family's Mr.Fix-It.
He had and still has difficulty sorting things into proper order.Thus,his room is always messy.
I tried telling him to put all the blue toys in the blue basket, etc. That technique would work for a while then he would revert back to his natural messy state.
I finally lowered my standards.The room could stay messy as long as he pulled all dirty clothes and dishes out on a daily basis.
When he became a teenager,I stopped cleaning his room, letting him live in the filth a long as he could stand it.Yhough I did demand that it be thoroughly cleaned every four months.
While he was in school I shifted my emphasis from honor roll to simply passing grades with the good citizenship awards, both achievements he could do on a regular basis. During his sophomore (10th grade) year he was moved back into mainstream classes.
He graduated #60 in a class of 300 students.
My son went on to a two year vocational school, majoring n electrical technology.
He graduated as electrical service technology student of the year.
He spent a year in Oklahoma City working as a security guard at a fitness center.
At 25 he lives at home now as he can't afford to move out. He supports himself by repairing and rebuilding omputers and repairing appliances.
We live in an older neighborhood with many elderly neighbors. My son keeps an eye on the elderly neighbors and does many odd jobs for them, He does not charge them for his services but they keep him supplied in garden produce and baked goods.
He is a ood cookand loves to cook. I have a cnronic illness and myson oftencooks the meals. This keeps me well and allows him to earn his room and board.
The learning disabled have a place in this world, but parents will have to work with and for them to help them find their strengths.
Learn more about this author, Nita Frazier.
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What every parent of a child with learning disabilities needs to know
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