Smart Kids With LD

Smart Kids is celebrating the close of a milestone year with a terrific opportunity. A group of major donors have created a $50,000 Challenge Grant to enable Smart Kids to continue to expand the user-friendly, parent-centered information available on its website at www.SmartKidswithLD.org. The grant will also provide funding to reach out to more families struggling with the devastating effects of learning disabilities and ADHD.

The Laurence W. Levine Foundation, joined by Smart Kids’ Board of Directors and an anonymous donor, have committed $50,000 to the Smart Kids Challenge: 2010. These funds will serve to double individual contributions to Smart Kids with LD, dollar-for-dollar, up to the total pledged amount of $50,000.

This generous grant will provide for Smart Kids to continue its work putting children with LD and ADHD on the road to success: By empowering parents via Smart Kids’ website and e-newsletter launched in 2010. By encouraging parents to understand that these children are smart, and can succeed. And by providing a Guide to Action helping parents to become effective advocates – as well as offering practical advice and emotional support from those on the front lines: Other parents.

Donations made by January 15, 2011 will contribute toward earning the $50,000 Smart Kids Challenge: 2010 — and will help “throw a lifeline” to many more families of children with LD and ADHD.

By Marcia Brown Rubinstien, MA, CEP

With the holidays just around the corner, keep in mind these special gifts appropriate for any child with LD or ADHD—one size fits all.

1. The Gift of Time

Don’t get so caught up doing for your child that you forfeit being with her. Dedicate time to talking, playing, crying, or just being silly together.

2. The Gift of Advocacy

Make sure he understands his learning disability and can describe a full range of assets and deficits to teachers and administrators. Update him as needed.

3. The Gift of Safety

Some children with LD of ADHD feel threatened by school, teachers, peers, bullies or things they can’t describe. Help her feel protected. If you can’t accomplish that alone, seek professional help.

4. The Gift of Respect

Don’t infantilize him. Praise what he does well, and help him improve the rest. Listen to what he says and respect his insights.

5. The Gift of Relaxation

It is hard work compensating for learning differences. Make sure he has an outlet for R & R, whether it is intellectual, athletic or both.

6. The Gift of Independence

Help her know she can perform the basic activities of daily living without you when she’s in a less supervised environment.

7. The Gift of Self-Esteem

While you see with pride what he can do, he probably is focusing on what he can’t do. You can never give too much deserved praise to children with learning differences.

8. The Gift of Love

This should go without saying. That’s just the problem—too often it does. Children with LD and ADHD often wonder how parents could love anyone with such obvious flaws. Tell them. Show them. Love them. You’ll be delighted when this gift is returned in full.

We’re pleased to announce the launch of the 2011 Smart Kids with LD Youth Achievement Award, recognizing a student with learning disabilities or ADHD for outstanding achievement. The $1,000 award will be made to a student 19 or younger who has demonstrated initiative, talent and determination resulting in a notable accomplishment in any field including art, music, math, athletics or community service.

Parents, teachers, coaches or students themselves are invited to submit an application for the 2011 Youth Achievement Award (select “Nominate a deserving student” to download the information and application form). The contest deadline is February 15, 2011. The winning student will be expected to attend the award ceremony at the Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, CT on May 13, 2011. Transportation and hotel accommodations will be provided for the student and his or her parents.

Honorable Mentions will also be awarded, although attendance will not be required.

This award recognizes the strengths and accomplishments of young people with learning disabilities and ADHD–strengths that too often, are not acknowledged as attention is focused instead on their weaknesses. However, as many experts confirm, developing these children’s abilities is a key factor in helping them succeed. The remarkable accomplishments of many candidates for the Youth Achievement Award each year demonstrate these children’s tremendous potential, when they receive the support and confidence of their parents and teachers.

Read about the 2010 Youth Achievement Award winner, Melissa Rey. Information on the 2011 winners will be posted on the Smart Kids website.