It’s critical that parents and teachers nurture self-esteem in students with learning differences. The mismatch between learning style and school programs can cause students to doubt themselves. Constant correction and poor performance lead to thinking they are not “smart.” There is also the social stigma of being “different” that can hurt their self-perception.

Remember, school-based learning programs are developed with a neuro-typical child in mind.

You can strengthen your child’s resilience and nurture self-esteem with a bank of their wins. Some fun ways to keep track of their accomplishments are:

• Catch them in the act! If they are being kind or having a sucess, write that down on a slip of paper and keep in a jar. Pull from the jar on a tough day and on New Year’s Eve.
• Put a white board on their bedroom door. Every day write something positive about your child, about both who they are and their efforts, on the board.
• For the visual learner, keep track of wins with stickers or pom poms in a jar – when they get to a certain amount, go out for cocoa or another small reward. 

You are an amazing parent! Keep up the great work!