There’s no doubt about it — children across the country are struggling with the transition from learning in classrooms to learning at home. Students who are living with learning disabilities can be particularly vulnerable to these changes, which can lead to rising tensions at home and more pressure for both teachers and parents.
If your child is having a hard time adjusting, know that you do have options, including putting these recommendations from Solve Learning Disabilities to work to improve your home, organize your routine, and unlock your child’s online learning potential.
Reduce Stress Around The Home
Online learning can be incredibly stressful for students who have special needs. Some of these children will have a hard time paying attention to online lectures, while others may develop behavior issues because they are stressed out by the changes in their daily routine.
You can support your child by creating a schedule that provides structure while also allowing for some flexibility. For instance, your child may need more frequent brain breaks in order to stay focused or prevent meltdowns.
Reducing stress triggers in your home could also help. You may not realize it, but a home that is cluttered or messy can make you and your children feel anxious and more stressed. You can lessen these feelings by tidying up, decluttering, and perhaps letting in fresh air.
Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment
Many children who are living with disabilities also have sensory processing issues that can make learning at home more difficult. These children may have a harder time communicating online. Being able to use keyboards to type into chat boxes or use text-speech tech may help.
You’ll also want to make changes to ensure that the space where your child is learning at home is sensory-friendly. Know that these changes don’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, removing clutter from this space and your entire home is one way to help your child feel more secure.
Other changes can help, as well, like adding sensory-friendly fabrics to the learning area. You could also adjust the lighting to make your child feel at ease. Just be sure to discuss these changes with your child. You can even encourage them to help!
Look for Learning Opportunities Outside
Backyard projects are another fun and interactive way to enhance your child’s online education. There are endless ideas available online to help you put together engaging science experiments your child is sure to love. Plus, many of these activities are sensory-friendly.
You could brew elephant toothpaste using simple household ingredients, or you could help your child start a nature journal. Most of these projects are budget-friendly, as well.
For children who are on the spectrum, growing a garden is another wonderful way to learn while connecting with nature! As you measure out space, your child can learn about math. Then he/she can learn about science by caring for plants and helping them grow.
Discuss Special Needs With Teachers
If your child is struggling right now, know that educators are aware of the unique challenges that their students with learning disabilities are facing when learning at home. Many teachers are more than happy to send individual emails or packets of printed materials to these children.
Hopefully, your school already has such measures in place. If your child isn’t already receiving accommodations, you can always ask for them. While speaking with teachers can be stressful, especially when they are already under so much pressure, there are ways to ease any tension.
Keep the conversation positive. It also helps to acknowledge how difficult this transition must be for educators and that this experience is very different for everyone. Most of all, be willing to listen! Your child’s teacher may have ideas for helping that you haven’t thought about.
This has been a tough year for everyone, but especially for children with disabilities and their parents. So give yourself some credit for making it this far! But also know that you can use the helpful tips and resources above to reduce stress in the weeks and months ahead. Check out the Solve Learning Disabilities blog and other resources to help you in this journey.
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