The most important tools I have in my “parent toolkit” are: the ability to listen, acceptance of my non-perfection, the belief that falling down is how my child learned to walk, and the knowledge when I don’t get a task right the first time – I’ll have another chance to do it again.

I parcel out the challenges and I parcel out the help.
Sometimes my teen complains when I refuse to assist – especially when she wants help in an area of weakness. It’s hard to see her struggle. But its wonderful to see her work her way through to success.

School is often the hardest part of life because we’re forced to take subjects that can strike at the core of our weakness. That’s why it’s important to see a learning specialist for help. Once we’re in our profession, life gets easier!

My personal experience was that I had a very difficult transition to college. I’ve never been diagnosed with LD or ADHD, but I can definitely relate to many of the symptoms.

My university had learning centers and tutoring. I used as many of the services as I could, but I just couldn’t seem to get passed introductory Biology and Chemistry.

My father made a great suggestion. He told me to learn what I’m good at and to leave behind what I’m not if it’s not to important to me. The truth was that Biology and Chemistry weren’t the most important things in my life and since I succeeded in Psychology courses, I decided to pursue courses in that major.

In the end I was very successful and was admitted into the Psychology Honor Society. Now, as I look back, I think that I have difficulty learning in certain fields or through certain channels and identifying my strengths was a very important part of my success.

This is very important for us all, but especially for those with ADHD and/or LD. I think this process of identifying one’s strengths and interests is just as important as the “academic achievement”.

Resource room help, if done correctly, should EMPOWER, not enable; it can be critical to the success of our kids. Any student who has been “dependent” on the resource room throughout high school had better make certain they select a college where tutoring (specific to students with LD) is available.

It is my opinion that with proper identification of a student’s strengths and limiters along with taking the time to help identify that student’s dream (What they want to get out of their education.) one can facilitate motivation from a student who is not making progress.

Unfortunately and often student’s self-esteem is either beaten down or stagnant due to negative experiences in school or simply because they realize they aren’t the best readers or writers. Their dreams die with this. It doesn’t have to be that way most students I find are more than excited when someone takes the time and attention to help them dream again.

Pete
http://educationalconsultingsolutions.vpweb.com/
http://educationalconsultingsolutions.blogspot.com/

KUDOS to you for having your son attend dressed as a “professional” and for stressing the importance of knowing what’s transpiring at the meetings.

If at all possible, teens should be leading the meetings by senior year because in college they’ll need to be able to discuss their disability intelligently.