Family Education has a wonderful section all about learning disabilities. Of particular interest is an article entitled "Top Ten Tips for Parents Who Have a Child with LD." I wanted to pass this information on to you as I think it is quite valuable. So, here goes....

1. Learn all you can about the disability.
2. Keep in contact with your child's teacher(s).
3. Keep a profile of what your child does well.
4. Help your child understand the effect the learning disability will have on him/her in school as well as socially.
5. Help your child get organized.
6. Involve your child in extra-curricular activities.
7. Involve your child in helping someone else.
8. Keep your expectations for your child high but realistic.
9. Help your child learn to ask for what they need
10. Join or form a group of parents with similar situations.

If you are reading this you are obviously working on #1 already... good for you!  Keeping in close contact with my son's teachers through emails, notes and frequent visits to the school has worked wonders.  I'm kept aware of his assignments, problem areas and successes this way.

I have a special folder that I keep all of my son's accomplishments in, i.e. awards, certificates, special notes from teachers, papers he has made a good grade one, etc.  When he is having an "I never do anything right" day, I grab that folder and show him... oh yes you do!  It always encourages him and lifts his mood.

I think educating our children about their ADHD and LD is extremely important.  Just as parents can not possibly advocate for their child if they do not know about their disabilities, children can not advocate for themselves if they are not aware of the (minor) ins and outs of their disabilities as well.  This also goes along with tip #9.  They need to know what they need and need to have the courage to ask for it.

Organization is a huge obstacle for my son.  We have a system in place for just about everything... where school supplies goes, where homework goes, clear bins for storage in his closet, etc.  However, this is a daily struggle that he is learning to deal with.

Helping someone else will help boost your child's self esteem.  My son offers a lending hand at church and school whenever he gets the chance.  He thrives on helping others.

I have learned that my son is not going to be an A+ student and I do not expect him to be.  What I do expect is for him to always try his hardest and do the best he can do.  If he does those two things, I could not possibly ask for more.

As far as tip #10 is concerned, I actually looked into forming an ADHD/LD support group at my son's previous school. I made it as far as the PTA president, who wasn't very receptive. However, I do plan to give it another shot. My son's new school, here in Virginia, is wonderful and I think would be much more receptive to the idea. 

To read the details associated with each of the above tips, visit the Family Education website. And, while you're there, browse around their site a bit. They have a number of articles related to learning disabilities. In addition, you will also find pages full of printables (covering numerous topics) available free of charge.  These include fun and learning pages.  Happy reading!