You know that your child is more than their disability. Others may see the disability first. Yet you know the unique strengths and gifts of your child. Whether your child has a physical, cognitive, learning or other disability, you can focus on their strengths to help them grow to their potential. And while you may not be able to remove the special needs “label” others use, you can lead them to see past it. More importantly, you can lead your child to see past it.
Learn about the issue
Learn as much as you can about your child’s issue, but stay open to the idea that no book or study can truly match exactly to your child. The point is to learn as much as you can, so that you have a starting point. Yet, how your child works within the description of the disability will be as unique as your child.
The bottom line is that books and studies are great for learning about disabilities. But they are not the final word on a child’s potential.
Think about your child’s strengths
Having a handle on limits opens the door to discovering your child’s unique strengths. Consider a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Perhaps in class they are inattentive and prone to outbursts, but you have also seen moments of empathy and leadership. Instead of punishing them for outbursts, plan to re-direct the outburst by urging them to help another child with something.
By focusing and nurturing their strengths, you let them build confidence and grow. In this case, it is better to encourage the growth of positive traits than to punish the negative ones.
Create opportunities for growth
Continue to notice and nurture the strengths of your child. While you are at home, create opportunities that foster success. If your child has a visual impairment, for example, have them do as much as possible and allow time for practice. The skills they gain from learning to do things on their own will give them confidence to keep on learning and growing. It is all about helping your child reach their own potential.
Become an advocate
Become your child’s strongest advocate at school. When crafting an individualized education plan (IEP), bring your own information, focusing first on the strengths of your child and not just the disability. If you know about your child’s disability, the law and their strengths, the best IEP possible can be developed.
Keep learning
Continue to learn as things change, your child grows and new ideas emerge. Try new things. Seek help when needed. Reach out to resources. Be open to new ideas and strong enough to know what is best for your child. In this way you make the best opportunity for them and others to see past the label of “disability.”
You know that your child is more than their disability. Others may see the disability first. Yet you know the unique strengths and gifts of your child. Whether your child has a physical, cognitive, learning or other disability, you can focus on their strengths to help them grow to their potential. And while you may not be able to remove the special needs “label” others use, you can lead them to see past it. More importantly, you can lead your child to see past it.
Learn about the issue
Learn as much as you can about your child’s issue, but stay open to the idea that no book or study can truly match exactly to your child. The point is to learn as much as you can, so that you have a starting point. Yet, how your child works within the description of the disability will be as unique as your child.
The bottom line is that books and studies are great for learning about disabilities. But they are not the final word on a child’s potential.
Think about your child’s strengths
Having a handle on limits opens the door to discovering your child’s unique strengths. Consider a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Perhaps in class they are inattentive and prone to outbursts, but you have also seen moments of empathy and leadership. Instead of punishing them for outbursts, plan to re-direct the outburst by urging them to help another child with something.
By focusing and nurturing their strengths, you let them build confidence and grow. In this case, it is better to encourage the growth of positive traits than to punish the negative ones.
Create opportunities for growth
Continue to notice and nurture the strengths of your child. While you are at home, create opportunities that foster success. If your child has a visual impairment, for example, have them do as much as possible and allow time for practice. The skills they gain from learning to do things on their own will give them confidence to keep on learning and growing. It is all about helping your child reach their own potential.
Become an advocate
Become your child’s strongest advocate at school. When crafting an individualized education plan (IEP), bring your own information, focusing first on the strengths of your child and not just the disability. If you know about your child’s disability, the law and their strengths, the best IEP possible can be developed.
Keep learning
Continue to learn as things change, your child grows and new ideas emerge. Try new things. Seek help when needed. Reach out to resources. Be open to new ideas and strong enough to know what is best for your child. In this way you make the best opportunity for them and others to see past the label of “disability.”
You know that your child is more than their disability. Others may see the disability first. Yet you know the unique strengths and gifts of your child. Whether your child has a physical, cognitive, learning or other disability, you can focus on their strengths to help them grow to their potential. And while you may not be able to remove the special needs “label” others use, you can lead them to see past it. More importantly, you can lead your child to see past it.
Learn about the issue
Learn as much as you can about your child’s issue, but stay open to the idea that no book or study can truly match exactly to your child. The point is to learn as much as you can, so that you have a starting point. Yet, how your child works within the description of the disability will be as unique as your child.
The bottom line is that books and studies are great for learning about disabilities. But they are not the final word on a child’s potential.
Think about your child’s strengths
Having a handle on limits opens the door to discovering your child’s unique strengths. Consider a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Perhaps in class they are inattentive and prone to outbursts, but you have also seen moments of empathy and leadership. Instead of punishing them for outbursts, plan to re-direct the outburst by urging them to help another child with something.
By focusing and nurturing their strengths, you let them build confidence and grow. In this case, it is better to encourage the growth of positive traits than to punish the negative ones.
Create opportunities for growth
Continue to notice and nurture the strengths of your child. While you are at home, create opportunities that foster success. If your child has a visual impairment, for example, have them do as much as possible and allow time for practice. The skills they gain from learning to do things on their own will give them confidence to keep on learning and growing. It is all about helping your child reach their own potential.
Become an advocate
Become your child’s strongest advocate at school. When crafting an individualized education plan (IEP), bring your own information, focusing first on the strengths of your child and not just the disability. If you know about your child’s disability, the law and their strengths, the best IEP possible can be developed.
Keep learning
Continue to learn as things change, your child grows and new ideas emerge. Try new things. Seek help when needed. Reach out to resources. Be open to new ideas and strong enough to know what is best for your child. In this way you make the best opportunity for them and others to see past the label of “disability.”