When your child is diagnosed with a learning disability it can be very overwhelming. Concern about school, worry about how your child is fitting in with others and questions about the future arise.
Will they be successful? Will they go to college? What am I supposed to do? At the same time there can also be a sense of relief having finally figured out what the problem is that is holding your child back. Now you can get help.
However, we must be sure to not forget the child throughout all of our worrying. Not unlike you, your child has also likely gone through many of these emotional ups and downs: discouragement, fear, failure, relief, more fear. And, they have been struggling with these emotions while trying to keep up in school, keep up with friends, keep up with expectations and they are failing. So, it is very important to recognize that your child needs your support throughout this process.
Here are some words of advice from Stern Center alums who have been through similar situations and understand what it is like. Their thoughts may help you relate to what your child is going through, or help your child to see that there is hope even though they are feeling scared or discouraged.
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- •“You won’t regret it! At first you might be scared and embarrassed, but you aren’t the only one out there. By getting help on different learning skills, it will make you successful in so many new areas that you have struggled with before. You’ll see improvements and gain more confidence because you will take BIG steps to becoming a better learner.”
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- • “Hang in there. It is a struggle but worth it in the end. Not everyone learns the same.”
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- •”Don’t worry about being considered different, and don’t be ashamed of your skills. Each person thinks and learns in different ways; some identify with mathematical patterns, others with the written word. You just have to unlock your own abilities.”
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- •“The one piece of advice I would give is persistency. While the process can seem frustrating, it is one that will lead you to a point where you have the tools and knowledge to exploit your strengths to assist your weaknesses.”
To learn more about the services that have helped these learners succeed, begin your journey here.
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