The Top Three Web Sites for Parenting a Learning Disabled Child

Any parent who has a child with a learning disability knows the sinking feeling that can be a part of any challenging situation with their child. Thoughts of "I can't handle this" to "There must be a better way" populate the mind. There's nothing like finding a great resource with useful answers to make you feel confident in the choices you make for your learning disabled child. Here are some great website that provide solutions for a myriad of problems.

LD Online is one of the most comprehensive Websites out there, with information geared to everyone from pre-schoolers to adults. This site has a huge database of articles written by doctors, parents and people with learning disabilities. The information is based on first-person experience and provides useful ideas on coping with just about any situation. This site also has wonderful information for teachers that includes acceptable accommodations in the classroom. Some examples are audiotapes, large print books and being able to give answers on a computer. As a parent with a child with a learning disability, I know this was very helpful. Because he could not spell very well and his grammar was not always right, handwritten work could be a disaster for my son. When he was able to work on a computer with spell check, he more often got the correct answers.

GreatSchools has a section for learning disabilities that focuses on the education experience. The content for this section of the site was originally from schwablearning.org, a website maintained by the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation. The Schwabs founded their organization to help students living with learning disabilities because Charles suffered with undiagnosed dyslexia. The Learning Disabilities Community section of the site allows for posting individual questions and offers real answers from real parents. There is great comfort in knowing that you are not the only parent working on the same issues, such as getting a school to accept appropriate accommodations for your child. This site also has a section on emotional well-being that addresses such issues as friendship and dating.

Having a learning disabled students meaning advocating for the best educational resources. The National Center for Learning Disabilities has sections on each stage of educational development, from elementary school to high school and beyond. The best thing about this site are the personal stories that inspire parents to advocate in the best possible way for their children, as well as information for the student on becoming their own advocate. Learning disabilities don't go away when school ends and it is important to know how to function in college and in the workplace. Some helpful tips from this site include how to transition from a high school setting where programs are modified to a college setting, where classes are not modified. Rather, a student must find the courses that they can handle on their own. Learning to accept a disability and dealing with it head on are best solutions as a student becomes an adult.