Welcome to this week's Dealing With Learning Disorders Newsletter.

Featured Article

This week in Part II of Cindi Erickson's series of articles, My Life With ADD she writes about how she struggled in elementary school with having ADD and being in a classroom that taught two grades levels at a time.

She tells about how, because of having dyslexia and ADD, she was always distracted and wound up listening to the teacher teach the 'other class', instead of working on her own work.

She writes...

Thank God (literally) for giving me a very understanding, patient, and loving teacher who was willing to work with me and help me find ways to deal with my learning challenges.

Though it's been many years since I sat in Miss. Clarke's third grade class, I often think of her to this day. She was truly one of my biggest inspirations and encouragers who helped me learn that even though I had challenges in the way I learned, there were many ways to overcome and/or work with those obstacles and learn in spite of my physical and mental differences. Miss. Clarke truly was one of my 'Balcony People'!

Who is your balcony person? Are you a Balcony Person in your child(ren)'s life? If not, let me encourage you to start today. They'll thank you for a lifetime for being there for them, for teaching them how to overcome those hurdles that challenge them, and for encouraging them and standing by them when the rest of world may have turned their backs on them or made fun of them because of their differences.


Message Board News

This week Dr. Kenny Handelman shared with us a comment on an article he read about Micheal Phelps.

Here is some of what he said...

It was reported that his 3rd grade teacher recently wrote a letter to Mrs. Phelps - prior to the Olympics - to touch base with her about Michael. She remembered how Michael had struggled in school and had trouble focusing.
The teacher said - 'maybe Michael had trouble focusing because he didn't have a big enough goal to focus on'.
I thought this was profound, and it gave me goosebumps.
This comment likely applies to many kids/teens and adults with ADD/ADHD LDs. If the goal isn't compelling enough, they may just not have any interest in pursuing it.
So, let's help our kids find goals which are 'big enough' to interest and motivate them.

Come join us in our private community and share your thoughts on our message boards.


Tip of the Week

In addition to supporting your child's learning process at home, it is important to be involved with their learning in the public sphere as well.

If you child attends public school, it is important to meet with school personnel and develop an educational plan to address your child's needs.

Plan what accommodations your child needs in the classroom, and don't forget to talk about assistive technology!

Structure is key for reducing the stress level for children with learning disorders. Providing structure as best as possible within your family will help children know what to expect.

Structuring the entire family along with your LD/ADD child will provide the child with the guidance he needs.

To learn more on how to help your child who learns differently visit
DealingWithLearningDisorders.com

Catch ya next week.

Robin Dicks