Students with Learning Disabilities The Family and Learning Disabilities.

Students with Learning Disabilities

The Family and Learning Disabilities

Parental Adjustment

• Awareness and Recognition of Problem

- Parents feel helpless and frustrated when child does not seem “normal”

- Although difficult, parents must recognize the disability

- Common reactions include parental conflict, doctor shopping, and defense mechanisms

Parental Adjustment continued

• Search for a Cause and Cure

- Hope for a cure and removal of guilt

• Acceptance of Child

- Emphasize strengths rather than weaknesses

Schools Helping Families

• Informational Strategies– Resources– Information sharing

• Parent Education– Focus on needs of parents for content– Support parents’ interactions with

professionals– Promote growth of child

Family’s Role at Home

• Parent Observation– Insightful judges of child’s development

• Time Management– Routine as essential structure for success

• Parents as Teachers– Tutoring with care

Parent-Teacher Partnership

• Establishing Cooperation– Recognize potential challenges– View roles as complementary

• Culturally Responsive Relationships– Learn the culture of students– Exhibit cultural responsiveness toward

families– Honor linguistic backgrounds of families– Link home, school, and community

Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences

• Establish rapport

• Obtain pertinent information from parents

• Provide information

• Summarize and plan follow-up activities

Reporting Student Progress

• IDEA reauthorization mandates regular progress reports

• 6-week period reports typical but not enough to be helpful

• Alternatives:– Daily report system– Curriculum-based measurement reports– Weekly progress reports

Parent Advocacy and Parent Rights

• Parents and professionals working together

• Reauthorization of IDEA, guaranteeing free and appropriate public education

• Parents have the right to be involved in identification, evaluation, placement, and program development

• Due process