Deal with any special needs.
Perhaps the most difficult part of dealing with any learning disability is actually acknowledging that it exists. We as parents do not want to admit that our darling son or daughter is somehow less than perfect. But the moment that we meet the challenge head-on and do something constructive about it, the sooner our child will be equipped to gain the education he so richly deserves and needs in order to be a productive citizen.
So, my advice to parents is simply this: put pride aside; seek the best professional opinion which you can find; follow that advice. Many private schools devote themselves exclusively to students with special needs. One will suit your requirements.
Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD defied diagnosis years ago. A child who fidgeted or talked too much was merely considered a disruptive child. Naturally grades suffered, and by the time the child reached fifth or sixth grade, there were many deficiencies in his basic skills. Schools were generally not equipped to handle a child who did not fit into the norm. Teachers were not certified to teach children with ADD. Often, class size prevented a teacher from giving the child the extra time and attention which he needed. Medication therapy was not commonly used. The net result of this educational scenario was a child who knew something wasn't right, but couldn't figure out how to cope with it. The attendant lowered self-esteem, and negative side-effects could only be counterproductive as the child headed into adolescence.
More than half of the children with ADD retain some symptoms of the syndrome into adulthood. Therefore the earlier you can involve your child in his ongoing therapy, the better. That's where a school with special facilities can be so beneficial.
Nowadays more than one hundred private schools can provide the kind of skilled teaching which a child with ADD requires. These schools have highly-qualified faculty and trained staff who know how to get the best out of your child. They are capable of ensuring a positive atmosphere in which the child is carefully retrained to implement strategies which will minimize the syndrome's effects. According to the ADD/LD Online Resource Center, "the best way to insure long-term success and compliance to treatment is to get ADD children personally involved in the process early".
Dyslexia
A person who has difficulty learning to read and spell generally will be diagnosed as having some form of dyslexic. There is no cure for dyslexia. It is a condition which affects boys more than girls.The prognosis for a dyslexic child is truly excellent if you put him in an educational setting where he can excel.
If you suspect that your child might have dyslexia, have him evaluated professionally and as expeditiously as possible. Then consider the advantages a properly equipped school can offer in treating this condition. The inclusive, communal nature of a private school permits constant follow-up and encouragement for the dyslexic child. It is not just a matter of meeting with a tutor a few times a week, as you might think. In a boarding school, there are countless opportunities throughout the day to assist the dyslexic and provide him areas in which he can be a success. It is this careful mix of appropriate instruction and positive reinforcement which will influence his later life for the better.
To sum up, children with Attention Deficit Disorder and dyslexia have difficulty learning in traditional ways and in traditional settings. They need the advantages which skilled specialists and targetted instruction can offer. They also deserve to be given the opportunity to excel in activities and interests in which they have a special gift, such as athletics, music, art, and so on. If you are the parent of a child with ADD or dyslexia, you are not alone. Others have been down the road before you. Lean on them and all the resources available to you for help and support. Good luck!
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