Advocating for your child throughout the "LD journey" requires you to be vigilant and knowledgeable about your child's needs and the special education system — not an easy job! This includes understanding your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and helping them build self-esteem and set goals.
Your child is preparing for success beyond high school. The National Center for Learning Disabilities wants to help you as you guide your child on the next step of their journey into college and the wider world. More >
As you and your teen look ahead to college, make sure you're both aware of key differences between high school and college: special education services and the laws that support and protect those with learning disabilities. There are no IEP's in college!
This checklist provides:
De....More >
Children with learning disabilities (LD) grow up to be adults with LD. That is, many of the difficulties experienced in childhood continue throughout adulthood. Even so, some people with LD follow a life path that leads them to success. They become productive members of society. They ....More >
A student with a learning disability planning to attend college needs to take several steps to prepare for selecting the right college and for a successful college experience.
Preparing for College Success
The student must take a rigorous college preparatory program while in high ....More >
Transition is one of the many areas supported by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004). When IDEA was last reauthorized, Congress made substantial changes to the law to increase opportunities for more students to graduate with a regular diploma and then make the ....More >
Some of the statements made to parents at IEP meetings are “conversation stoppers” — comments that create barriers and can prevent the IEP team from working cooperatively to develop effective special education services and supports for students with disabilities. Here are nine common....More >
Positive self-esteem is as important to success in school — and eventually on the job — as the mastery of individual skills. And there's no question that doing something well helps a person feel better about themselves, their accomplishments, and their potential to succeed in the fut....More >
Whether you’re working with your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to develop her very first IEP or you’re reviewing her existing IEP, you’ll want to make sure every detail and concern is addressed. Use this comprehensive checklist to determine if your child’s IEP ....More >
As the parent of a student with a learning disability (LD), you play a crucial role in helping your child build a successful future. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students age 16 and older include tran....More >
"The primary need of all human beings is to be liked and accepted by other human beings," says Richard Lavoie, a nationally recognized expert in the field of learning disabilities. "These kids want to be liked by others." Children with learning disabilities (LD) don't just struggle i....More >
As you've looked for explanations for your child's puzzling behavior, you may have unintentionally laid blame where it should not rest. You may have caught yourself saying, "Try harder" or "You're being lazy" or thinking thoughts like this. But if your child is struggling with a learn....More >
The secret to success seems elusive to many people. Is there really a reliable roadmap to health and happiness? And if you have a learning disability (LD), do you need take a different course? Not really. Although research has identified several attributes that form the foundation of....More >
Some people with learning disabilities need more intensive services than a community college, university, or vocational-technical school can offer. Life Skills programs are post-secondary educational programs that help young people learn skills needed for independent living.
These p....More >
Students with learning disabilities (LD) may struggle with schoolwork in many different areas. While most are likely to have trouble with reading, others may have issues with math, memory, organization, or writing. Assistive technology (AT) can be a great way to minimize the extent to....More >
Guiding Teens with Learning Disabilities: Navigating the Transition from High School to Adulthood is the book from former National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) Professional Advisory Board member, Arlyn Roffman. In her book, Dr. Roffman offers advice, tips, and information....More >
When it comes to success in life, academic achievement is certainly important, but it can only take you so far. If you don't know what you're good at, for example, how can you pick a major in college or choose a career path? If you don't have the ability to deal with a frustrating pro....More >
Are you a college-educated professional who can't imagine anything less for your child? Maybe you’ve even visualized the famous actor or successful surgeon, earning $300,000 a year. Perhaps goals like these are within reach for your child. But even if they're not, don't just give up. ....More >
Is your child or teen finding every excuse in the book to avoid going to school? Spending all her time alone? Having trouble eating or sleeping? Or, is something just not quite right, and you're not sure how to deal with it?Maybe it's time to think about seeking some professional help....More >
Do learning disabilities (LD) affect your life? Whether you are a parent of a child with LD, an adult with LD, an educator or an LD professional, there's a place for you in the world of LD advocacy. Whether you have five minutes per week or a lot of time to spare, these tips will get....More >
Frustration is fuel for the battles we wage on behalf of our kids. Working with educators, academic bureaucrats, and legal protection is a formula for frustration. Add to the scenario that the person everyone is talking about is your child and you have an explosion waiting to happen.
....More >
Success in life is about a lot of things: education, employment, meaningful relationships – and so much more. All parents hope their children will attain it. But most parents who have children with learning disabilities (LD) have at least one moment when they wonder whether their chil....More >
The Individualized Education Program (or IEP) lays out the school’s commitment to provide special education and related services to your child. Developed annually, an IEP must be tailored to the individual needs of your child, with your involvement and input. Once formulated, the IEP ....More >
The resource teacher, Susan, became the first and still most outstanding, teacher Danielle ever had. It is important to find the people who are devoted to children and support them. I stopped by Susan's classroom after the meeting. It was in the basement in a small, cramped space. The....More >
Some people fear heights, other people fear snakes, but what I fear is writing essays. I find nothing more daunting than a blank sheet of paper waiting for me to divulge my thoughts and feelings that do not want to come. My head is streaming with thoughts, but my hand fights the trans....More >
In this Parent Perspective, Ilise, the mother of student with multiple learning disabilities discusses why she felt that her son Jay needed to attend every IEP meeting. She felt that If he was going to understand what was happening in his education, he had to be part of the process,....More >
We all face difficult times. Some are short lived and others are longer term. Dealing with a learning disability is a lifelong challenge. It affects all aspects of your child's life and it affects your family. Be tough, because this is a marathon. You will need to pace yourself. Be re....More >
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a formal commitment from the school that outlines the services and support it will provide to an eligible child in order for the child to benefit from the educational program. An IEP must be developed before a student can begin receiving s....More >
Learning to successfully interact with others is one of the most important parts of a child’s development. This can be yet another stumbling block for children with learning disabilities (LD): many struggle to develop the skills they need to be competent in social situations. But as a....More >
Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Jerome Schultz is the author of Nowhere to Hide: Why Kids with ADHD and LD Hate School and What We Can Do About It and is an expert on stress, learning disabilities, and AD/HD. In the following three scenarios, he takes you inside the brains of a parent,....More >
Lyn Pollard & her two children
As the parent of a child with a learning disability or other learning difficulty, you’ve probably done your homework. You’ve read up on your child’s special needs, learned about what services he or she needs, and maybe even have a 504 plan or an IE....More >
Whether you’re applying to a two- or four-year college, there are many important factors to consider. Use the following checklist to help you determine which college will best meet your individual needs, keeping in mind the level of support your learning disability requires.
The chec....More >
For students with LD and/or AD/HD, needed accommodations can be critical on test day. By reducing the impact of attention problems or learning difficulties, accommodations allow for a fair comparison among students. Beyond general preferences for the ACT or the SAT, students can, and ....More >
Making Changes to the IEPAfter the initial IEP is finalized or later IEPs are agreed upon (usually annually), IDEA 2004 provides new ways that parents and schools can make changes:
Once the annual IEP team meeting has taken place, schools and parents are allowed to amend or change ....More >
Often undiagnosed in children and teens, dyslexia impacts an estimated 15% of people and is a lifelong challenge for the individual diagnosed and for his or her parents, siblings, and teachers. NCLD is here to help navigate what can be a confusing time for both you and your child. We'....More >
To become an effective LD advocate, you need to understand what you are trying to represent. Though personal experiences may drive you, the ability to relate those experiences to the community as a whole is necessary to foment understanding and ultimately change. Simply understanding ....More >
My child is struggling 
Now that my child has 
