Author:
Deb Robinson
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Date Posted: 20:21:01 08/17/11 Wed
I am the daughter of my mother, the sister of my brother, the wife of my husband, the mother of two children, and the grandmother of questionable number of grandchildren who have varying forms and degrees of dyslexia. But until I was faced with a struggling son, I knew nothing of my family’s history of dyslexia. In approximately 1986, I was a little older than you are when I was faced with the dilemma that my six-year-old son was struggling with his schoolwork. I became my child’s advocate. I took him to a doctor who diagnosed his specific learning disability. From that point on (even as he entered college I supported him and helped get the college accommodations), I researched, asked questions, and discovered what he needed. I visited his teachers almost on a weekly basis to see what I could do to help them and him. I explained what he could do and could not do before the school year began. And by having a diagnosis to stand behind me, the teachers would listen and were more than willing to work with my son. Then together we worked out a plan that could best benefit him. At times, the plan included me writing the questions or problems when he was expected to write them; other times the plan included studying for tests, his taking the written test with his peers, and then after school the teacher orally giving him the questions he missed. This son is now thirty-two years old and is running his own business. Has he learned how to succeed, I believe he has. I believe that having someone be an advocate for him showed him that he was not stupid that he just had a different learning style and he could accomplish his dreams.
Your son has an advocate in you because you understand what difficulties he is having. Talk to his teachers and the administration for their advice. Look for programs that you feel comfortable with. Be willing to try different ideas. Be honest with everyone and let them know you understand your child’s frustration because you have been there yourself and want to find him help before you received help. Do not give up. Begin the journey today and help him succeed. Good Luck!!!
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