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Teens with learning disabilities (LD) can struggle in school. But they may also have problems outside of school. Homework can be a source of frustration. In addition, teens with LD may also suffer from low self-esteem or have problems with social relationships. Parents can help by being supportive and encourage teens in their efforts as well as gain the knowledge you need to understand the specific learning disability your teen is struggling with.

Follow up:

The following are tips for parents raising teens with learning disabilities:

Tips for School

1. Learn all you can about the specific LD. Learning disability is a general term and encompasses many different types of LD. Some of the main types of LD are: language, math, processing, visual or auditory. Although there are a number of common symptoms, each type of LD provides unique difficulties and challenges to individuals. Parents should understand what type of learning disability their teen has, and understand the symptoms and strategies that can help.
2. Talk with your teen openly and honestly about his or her learning disability. Discuss where he or she is experiencing problems and ask for his or her input on what steps can be taken to help overcome the difficulties. Ask the teen what you can do to help and support him or her.
3. Involve your teen in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process at school. Have your teen begin by sitting in meetings and as they feel more comfortable become more involved. Your teen’s input can help by developing support systems he or she feels would be most helpful. By having your teen involved in the process, you will also be preparing him or her for years beyond high school, when he or she will need to become his or her own advocate.
4. Observe your child completing homework to determine what helps him or her the most. For example, does he or she work better on a computer rather than writing work by hand? Do calculators help while completing math homework? Would books on tape help for reading assignments? Does he or she require a tutor to help with certain subjects? Open a discussion with your teen about which accommodations he or she feels helps.
5. Talk with the teacher about which accommodations and modifications are working in the classroom and which accommodations are not working. This information can be used to adjust the IEP for the following school year, or before if needed.

Tips for Homework

1. Create an environment at home that fosters learning. Teens with learning disabilities can be easily distracted or can have a hard time focusing on completing homework. Creating a quiet place to do homework, free of distractions and clutter can help them. Be sure to turn of the television.
2. Help teens plan. High school students with learning disabilities may face problems planning for long-term projects. Use a large calendar to help them plan the project in steps. For mid-term or final exams, ask the teacher for study guides several weeks in advance to help your teen study for the test in increments rather than trying to study in one to two days.
3. Focus on what they did right. If your teen brings home a test with only a few questions answered correctly, be sure to point out what he or she did correctly on the test. Go over the correct answers and try to build on the reasoning used to solve them to work out other problems.
4. Be understanding. Schoolwork and homework can be tough for teens with learning disabilities. Sometimes being understanding of their struggles can help to provide motivation to complete the work.
5. If your child is consistently frustrated, talk with the teacher. There may be some modifications teachers can make to homework, such as completing every other problem or completing homework for a certain amount of time and them stopping.

Social and Behavioral Tips

1. Make sure there is down time. Teens with learning disabilities can feel pressured to keep up with classmates or feel burned out from the amount of effort it may take to complete class work and homework. Make sure their daily routine includes down time and activities for fun. This can include time in the evening for them to do things they enjoy, whether it is playing sports, listening to music, getting together with friends or simply being with the family. Making sure there is time each day with no pressure can help teens to reinvigorate themselves.
2. Develop your teen’s strengths. No matter what difficulties a teen may have, they also have areas where they can excel. Using these areas to help focus a teen on the positive.
3. Provide positive feedback. Teens with learning disabilities may receive many negative messages, both verbally and nonverbally each day. Make sure to provide them with positive messages as well. Compliment them on the effort they put into their homework or for completing chores.
4. Encourage your teen to join clubs and participate in activities that accent his or her strengths to help build social skills.
5. Interact with your teen on a daily basis. Set an example by interacting with the people around you and have friends over to your home. The more social and interactive you are with your teen and with friends, the more practice you will be giving your teen in proper social interaction and etiquette.
6. Role-play social situations, such as shaking hands or making eye contact when you speak with someone. Observe your teen for weaknesses in social interaction, for example, not allowing for personal space or interrupting others when talking and use role-playing to strengthen these skills.
7. Include your teen in decision-making. Teach them to analyze choices, look at the pros and cons of each decision. Create and provide choices to help practice choices and problem solving.
8. Employ behavioral modification techniques and strategies at home to help improve specific behaviors and to strengthen other behaviors. Place a high emphasis on positive reinforcement rather than punitive measures.