Change Your Own Attitude to Help Your Child Do Better in School

Parents' attitudes have a tremendous impact on how their children experience school, especially if the child is an atypical learner. Here, seven ways to adjust your attitude that will set your child on a path to success in school and beyond.

Parents of children with learning differences know that their kids need an adult champion—someone to support them when they are discouraged, research the best teaching methods for their learning style, and help them navigate the school system.

It is estimated that between 10 to 20 percent of students have learning differences, whether that be a learning disorder, attention disorder, autism spectrum, or a mood disorder. Standing behind each of these students is a loving and concerned parent who is trying hard to make the right choices. Right?

Nurtured kids become successful adults.

Children with learning differences can and do grow up to become successful, productive adults. The primary challenge for parents is to keep their child’s self esteem strong while maintaining a realistic assessment of his or her strengths and struggles.

A child with dyslexia may have difficulty reading but may be unusually creative—she may be a dancer, an artist, a filmmaker, or a storyteller. A boy with ADHD may be hyperactive and impatient with classroom rules, but he could grow up to be highly successful on his own terms, like so many well-known innovators, celebrities, and athletes.

The potential is there—the question is, how do parents foster it during the school years?

After working with atypical children and their parents for more than two decades, I have seen that the parents’ attitude has a tremendous impact on how their child experiences school.

Seven parental attitude adjustments that can make all the difference for your child:

1. Be aware of your own emotional process.

Parents of kids with special needs have legitimate emotional struggles. If you are going to be an effective advocate for your child, you must understand your own emotional journey through feelings such as denial, anger, depression, and isolation, until you reach optimism, positive nurturing, and acceptance of your son or daughter.

A therapist who specializes in parents of atypical children or a support group that focuses on the needs of such parents (as opposed to focusing on the kids) may help you adjust to the inevitable ups, downs, and frustrations that come with your role. It’s normal to feel these emotions—you just need to be aware of them so they don’t control you.

2. Remember to cheer!

Maintain a positive attitude toward your child, realizing that success is measured in small steps. Be on the lookout for little triumphs that may seem modest to you but are a big event to your child.