Five Ways to Help your Child with Learning Disabilities in the New Year

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by Merely Me
Monday, December 28, 2009

It is hard to believe but it is time to get out a new calendar.  The New Year is almost here.  My house is can now be declared an official disaster zone of holiday mess.  My son Max has created a maze of train tracks throughout the house complete with plastic characters circling our Christmas tree like the Who's in Whoville.  I don't have the heart to clean it up yet.  Perhaps I will wait for the New Year.  As I write this, Max is singing "halleluyah" whilst playing my new electronic keyboard and somehow he has found the demo for the "old lang syne" song.  Now how did he know I was writing about New Years?

For all the parents and caregivers who have a Max of their own or a child who has a learning disability or special needs, I wanted to first thank you for participating on Friends of Quinn.  And I also wanted to reach out with a post especially written with you in mind.

I know firsthand how challenging this journey can be to parent and teach your child who has learning disabilities so I have a short list here of things which can ease your journey in the New Year.

1.  Find support.  Of course a great way to do that is right here on Friends of Quinn.   There are many parents and caregivers here who understand what you are going through and can share their experience with you.   I also want to invite you over to Health Central's ADHD site  if you have a child who has this particular disorder.  When my son was first diagnosed with autism I relied heavily upon on-line support groups for both support and information.  In turn, I was able to help my son much more effectively as I was able to get my own needs met.  I tend to visualize an on-line support group as buoys in the water.  Other people can help you to stay afloat so that you can help your child.

2.  Get some respite.  By respite I mean babysitters, helpers, or anyone who can give you a break now and then.  Parenting is a lifelong venture so you are in this for the long haul.  It is a long journey and so you need to conserve your energy by taking breaks.  It is good for you and your child to spend time with other people and recharge your batteries.  Take some time to be with friends or your spouse or other family members.  Do something fun or relaxing.  This is not being selfish, this is a way to be a better parent by seeking balance in your life.  Remember the saying, "If mama (or papa) ain't happy, then nobody is happy."  This is a true adage.  Your child will benefit from having a parent who feels calm and fulfilled instead of burned out from doing too much.

3.  Know the Laws which will protect your child.  We have a lot of information on Friends of Quinn about the various disability laws and provisions for persons who have disabilities.  Our Eileen Bailey has written extensively about these laws including IDEA 2004 and The Americans with Disabilities Act   Learn about the IEP process and what you can expect.  If you don't know the difference between an accommodation and a modification Eileen is here to help us by defining the guidelines most commonly used.  Knowledge is power.  In order to get the best services for our children it is absolutely essential to understand the process of how to advocate for our kids.