Studying and Learning Disabilities: A Parent’s Guide
Helping your child with learning disabilities ace their exams.
Published
Exam season can be extra challenging for kids with learning disabilities. But with the right approach, you can make study sessions more productive—and less stressful for both of you.
Tailor Study Time to Your Child's Energy
Keep a close eye on your child's energy levels. Kids with learning disabilities use more mental energy to absorb information, so they get tired faster. Long, intense study sessions can lead to frustration and burnout.
Practical Tips
- Establish a consistent study routine with set times to reduce stress.
- Schedule regular breaks: after 30 minutes of studying, encourage a physical activity like a short walk or some stretching to help your child reset and stay focused.
Break it Down into Small, Manageable Steps
Large study sessions can feel overwhelming. Instead, break down each subject into smaller, more manageable tasks. This approach allows your child to focus on one concept at a time.
Alternating between more challenging and easier subjects can also help maintain their interest and prevent fatigue. If your child is more confident in history but dislikes math, start with 30 minutes of math, then reward their effort with 30 minutes of history.
Create a Distraction-Free Study Zone
A calm and organized environment can make a big difference. Minimize distractions like TV, video games, and siblings' activities. A quiet environment will help your child concentrate and retain information.
Review Notes Daily
Encourage your child to review their notes at the end of each school day. Reviewing while the information is still fresh helps reinforce learning and allows them to fill in any missing details.
Effective Study Methods
- Use symbols, colors, or arrows to highlight key points.
- Turn notes into mind maps, diagrams, or charts.
Since children with learning disabilities often have a stronger visual memory than textual memory, these visual cues can help them retain information more effectively.
Ensure They Understand the Vocabulary
Sometimes, kids think they know a word just because they've heard it in class. Ask your child to explain key terms in their own words. If they struggle, it's a sign they may need extra help with that concept.
Encourage Them to "Teach" the Material
One of the best ways to reinforce learning is by having your child teach what they’ve just studied. If they simply recite memorized phrases, they may not fully understand the concept.
Try this together:
- Ask them to explain a topic as if they were teaching another student.
- If they get stuck, ask questions to help them think through it.
Additional Resources:
- Our article on How to Teach Children Perseverance