If you have a child with learning differences, at times you may feel isolated regardless of whether your child is homeschooled or attends a traditional school. If you have a child with special learning needs, you are acutely aware that your child’s milestones do not align with his peers’ milestones. It is easy to feel discouraged and fearful when your child does not make the same educational gains as your friends’ children. However, you are not alone. Approximately 20% of the population learns and thinks differently. October is designated as Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia Awareness Month. It is a period dedicated to sharing information with the public to create awareness and empower families and people impacted by learning differences.
What exactly are learning disabilities? An individual may have a learning disability if he or she experiences significant difficulty acquiring basic academic skills despite having average or above average intelligence. Generally, learning disabilities fall into one of these categories: reading, writing, math, ADHD, or executive function challenges. Some common learning disabilities include dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
IEW’s Structure and Style writing approach works for all types of students, including those with learning differences. IEW also has a wealth of support on its website for teachers and parents of students with learning disabilities. Some of the information you may find especially helpful include the following:
Why IEW Works for Students with Learning Differences recording of the March 2023 online conference
Podcast Episodes
- R14 Learning Differences: Part 1 – Dyslexia
- R15 Learning Differences: Part 2 – Dysgraphia
- R16 Learning Differences: Part 3 – ADHD
- Episode 159: IEW and Dyslexia: A Conversation with Susan Barton
Blog Posts
- Help for Dysgraphia: Hands off Content; Hands on Style
- So What, Exactly, Is Dysgraphia?
- Working Memory and the Key Word Outline
- How the Structure and Style Writing Approach Supports Reading
These links are just a smattering of the information IEW has available. Are you interested in finding more? IEW has created a dedicated page of resources to help teachers and parents support their students. You can find it by visiting this link, where you will find a wealth of information, including more podcast episodes, articles, and blog posts. If you need even more support, contact IEW's customer service team.
There are many other organizations and websites dedicated to helping families of children with learning differences.
- Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
- National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD)
- International Dyslexia Association (IDA)
- Decoding Dyslexia State Groups
- Understood
- ADDitude
Addressing learning differences can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Know that you are not alone. There are many others who are navigating the same journey. Find a few of them and build some connections. As the proverb asserts, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Connecting with others, you will find strength, information, and encouragement as you support your student.
by Jennifer Mauser
