Building Self-Advocacy Skills
February 2, 2026
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Educating Others About Your Child’s LD
Once you understand your child’s learning differences, it’s crucial to share their profile with those who impact their life. But before you divulge the personal details of your child’s learning style, use the following guide to help evaluate who needs to know what.
Knowledge providers (teachers, tutors, aides, extra-curricular instructors, coaches, scout leaders, playground monitors, religious instructors, camp counselors):
People who guide your child’s learning have enormous power over their self-esteem and cognitive development. Be thorough, persistent, and considerate when filling them in. Talk to them individually about all aspects of your child’s learning profile. Share the results of testing and interventions. Encourage a positive attitude by describing strengths and talents. Likewise, when you describe situations that might confuse or frustrate your child, give examples of approaches that work to ease the situation.
Healthcare providers (physicians, school nurses, social workers, psychological, occupational, and physical therapists, social skills facilitators):
Everyone who helps safeguard your child’s health should know how their learning differences might affect their wellbeing. Acquaint each provider with your child’s history and any issues that specifically impact their care. For example, children with sensory processing disorders may benefit from the dentist knowing what triggers reactive behavior and what engenders trust. Children with ADHD may respond better when appointments are kept short. If your child has difficulty expressing their concerns, suggest ways for the professional to elicit substantive responses.
Random people (store clerks, service providers, bus drivers, airline seatmates):
When you bring your child into a situation that might trigger impulsive or defensive behaviors, anticipate problems and intervene ahead of time. Explain to a sales associate that it’s best not to bring out 15 pairs of shoes at one time. Alert the bus driver to possible triggers for disruption or bullying. When someone interferes with your child’s unobjectionable activities on a bus, train, or plane, explain in firm, positive tones that your child prefers listening to an audiobook while simultaneously reading the text. Be upbeat when you tell travel mates that walking up and down the aisle is actually a positive behavior.
Social acquaintances (peers, parents of peers, family friends):
Most parents would not leave a child with impaired vision at a friend’s home without explaining that some activities might be challenging. Yet parents of children with invisible disabilities often think that if they don’t mention difficulties, none will be noticed. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
When children know that people in their social world accept the accommodations they need, they feel comfortable and productive. You can elicit trust and even respect for your child’s uniqueness if you explain how they respond to stimuli. A child who has difficulty processing auditory information might need several reminders before following directions. Make sure that parents and friends don’t misinterpret such behavior as oppositional. Explain that a child who fidgets might simply be seeking a way to maintain alertness.
Family members:
A child’s learning differences will definitely cause ripples throughout the immediate and extended family, but proactive parents can minimize difficulty while maximizing potential.
In easy-to-understand language explain your child’s learning and living profile to all family members. Never use learning challenges as an excuse for your child to avoid homework, appropriate behavior, or chores done by siblings. Instead, find ways that they can contribute at levels that correspond with others. More important, never expect other children to assume responsibility for the needs of their sibling with LD.
When explaining something that might be more difficult for your child with LD, also stress the skills and positive qualities they possess. Make sure that all family members respect diversity.
Finally, support your child’s interests, defend them against people and processes that undermine their self-esteem, and provide them with the tools to succeed academically and socially. Love them unconditionally, and never miss an opportunity to tell and show them that you do.