Article

Helping children with AD/HD and/or Learning Disabilities

The start of a new school year is a time of anticipation and renewal for most families. For those of us who deal with children struggling with ADHD and/or dyslexia that anticipation can easily slip into high anxiety. We wonder how new teachers, new classmates, new school schedules and responsibilities will impact our precious kids. After all, it has been a great summer, right? No pressures to conform to classroom behavior standards or living up to the rigors of daily academic challenges have marred the surface of a wonderful summer. We've spent two whole months focused on all the "fun stuff" like swimming, tennis, sports and arts camps, music lessons, and family vacations. Our kids have relaxed, enjoyed themselves, and become a healthier reflection of their true selves. Returning to the daunting prospect of the classroom and the expectations our children will meet there can give a parent a feeling of impending disaster. Don't panic! Whether we have years of experience with our child's disabilities or we are new to the learning disability scene, there are coping strategies that have worked for many families that we can put into place to help start the year with comfort and hope. These strategies fall into three basic categories:

1. Preparing my child's teacher(s)
2. Preparing my child
3. Preparing my family and myself

The responsibility of preparing a new crop of teachers will fall to every parent, every school year. Our goal should be to provide teachers with information about classroom accommodations that have worked in the past, rewards and discipline that have helped our child to function well and any new developments that have arisen over the summer months. If our ADHD child has only recently been diagnosed with dyslexia, his teachers need to be aware of the diagnosis and any interventions we are utilizing. If he has changed medications or behavior modification strategies, teachers are our best allies in achieving and determining effectiveness. We can ask to meet with our child and his teacher(s) before school begins and bring the following information and questions:

• All current medications, tutoring and counseling schedules
• How will we communicate daily? An organizational planner is a great tool if used consistently and with oversight
• Can assignments be modified so that my child does only what is critical and necessary?
• Can classical music (preferably Mozart) be played in the classroom?
• Can my child sit in the front of the classroom?
• Can tests be given orally?
• Can I act as scribe for my child's homework assignments?
• Can we meet regularly to review and adjust classroom accommodations?

It is vitally important that teachers and parents partner together to find the best possible solutions to the challenges of the classroom, both behaviorally and academically. We must be proactive in extending understanding and help to teachers. Don't expect them to be experts about our child's differences (that's our job!), but do anticipate that they have a strong desire to see every child succeed in their classrooms. Begin the year with positive, open communication and maintain that communication throughout the year. Many problems can be avoided or their effects diminished by good communication. The gift of an appropriate book about our child's conditions would not be out of place. Teachers love to learn.

For kids who see the world differently than most of their peers (and our kids certainly have a different perspective of the world) an introduction to the "new" prior to the first day of class can be an enormous asset. This introduction is especially important for dyslexic children with directionality issues and children making the transition to middle or high school. A trip to the new location should include:

• Tour of the campus (including cafeteria, gymnasium, office, bathrooms, etc.)
• Personal introductions to key school personnel (principal, counselor, nurse, etc.)
• Short meeting with new teachers
• Locating new locker and practicing the combination
• Verifying drop-off and pick-up procedures

You will need to schedule this time with the school office, so call now! Explain that you would like for your child to come in with you before school begins so that she can become comfortable with new surroundings.

Being familiar with these aspects of new routines can greatly diminish anxiety for our kids, but perhaps the most helpful preparation we can give them is to talk honestly and openly with them about their learning and behavior differences. When children have truthful information they can more readily work toward overcoming the deficits that have encumbered them, becoming part of the solution to their own problem. To help your child be his own advocate in the classroom, in the hallway and on the playground, explain, in terms he understands:

• What his disability is (how his brain is different) and what it is not (he is not stupid)
• How his ADHD and/or dyslexia affects him
• What interventions (tutoring, counseling, etc.) we are using to help
• How long the interventions will last
• How to graciously remind teachers and other school personnel about accommodations and behavior programs we are currently utilizing
• How to use organizational tools and checklists

Giving our kids good information can empower them to be more responsible about the choices they make during the school year and help them to develop important skills they will need in life.

Preparing our families and ourselves for the new school year can be as intimidating as filing 1040 tax forms, but with a bit of proactive thinking and organization the whole family can be heading toward a successful year. Because children with dyslexia and ADHD often lack internal organizational structures they need to have these systems developed for them. Several of these strategies may be helpful for your home situation, use them with all members of the family:

• Post a large family calendar in a prominent location. Keep the calendar updated with all family commitments and classroom projects. Check the calendar regularly
• Designate a place for everything and keep everything in its place: backpacks, homework assignments, pencils, your keys, cell phone, etc.
• Make a chart for your child's morning routine. Include items like brushing teeth, making bed, and eating breakfast. Post the chart where it will be helpful for her: bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen
• Post a list near the door that includes everything your child needs for school: backpack, tennis shoes, homework, lunch, etc. Encourage her to check the list every time she leaves
• Set out clothes in a designated place before going to bed
• Make sure all alarm clocks function and that your child will have enough time to complete her morning routine at her pace-don't rush morning

Discuss with your child how to handle daily homework time. Encourage her input about location, supplies, supervision and time frames. Agree together on how to begin the homework process for the year but re-visit your decisions in 2-3 weeks to see if adjustments are needed. She will probably need at least some oversight in the following areas regarding homework. She may need a good deal of training and encouragement to:

• Maintain a daily assignment calendar that includes quiz and test dates. The teacher may need to check this daily; you will need to check daily. Update the family calendar with project and test dates
• Organize assignment materials for each class. A three-ring binder with colored pocket files (a different color for each class) works well. Encourage your child to place all materials in the correct pocket immediately. Check often to make sure she is keeping up with this task
• Use spiral notebooks for note taking and assignments rather than loose leaf paper. Notebooks are much easier to keep track of and can be color coded as well
• Go through papers regularly and throw out what is no longer needed

Check websites for additional ideas that may work for your family. If what you are doing is not working, be flexible: tweak it, or try something different. Don't get caught in a negative spiral of defeat. There really are many resources available to help navigate through the school year ahead. We need to keep expanding our understanding and knowledge about our children and their differences because it's going to be a great year!