Self-Esteem Fact Sheet (continued)

What Are Some Strategies for Helping Individuals With LD Build Self-Esteem and Confidence?

In their book, "The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence and Personal Strength in Your Life," Dr. Robert Brooks and Dr. Sam Goldstein offer parents guideposts to help children and adolescents develop the strength and skills they need to cope successfully with the challenges they face. Here are some key things, adapted from the book, that parents can do to help:

• Be empathetic. See the world through your children's eyes.
• Communicate with respect. Don't interrupt or put them down; answer their questions.
• Give undivided attention. Children feel loved when we spend on-on-one time with them.
• Accept and love children for who they are. This will allow them to feel more secure in reaching out to others and learning how to solve problems.
• Give children a chance to contribute. This communicates your faith in their abilities and gives them a sense of responsibility.
• Treat mistakes as learning experiences. Children whose parents overreact to mistakes tend to avoid taking risks, then end up blaming others for their problems.
• Emphasize their strengths. A sense of accomplishment and pride give children the confidence to persevere when they face challenges.
• Let them solve problems and make decisions. Avoid telling children what to do; encourage them to come up with solutions to problems.
• Discipline to teach. Do not discipline in a way that intimidates or humiliates your child. 

The Bottom Line

Throughout one's life, self-esteem and confidence are critical, and often elusive, ingredients for happiness and success.  Individuals with LD are especially vulnerable to attacks on their feelings of self-worth; but with help and support, they can build the self-esteem it takes to achieve future success in any arena.

Some resources:

Bos, Candace S. and Vaughn, Sharon.(1994). Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning and Behavior Problems. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Osman, Betty B. (1982). The Social Side of Learning Disabilities. New York, NY: Random House. 

Osman, Betty B. (1997). Learning Disabilities and ADHD: A Family Guide to Living and Learning Together. New York, NY: Wiley & Sons.

Raskind, Marshall H., et al. (1999). Patterns of Change and Predictors of Success in Individuals with Learning Disabilities: Results From a Twenty-Year Longitudinal Study. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice 14, 135-49.

The Search Institute (http://www.search-institute.org/assets/).

Levine, M. (2001). Jarvis Clutch - Social Spy. Cambridge, MA:  Educators Publishing Service.

Brooks, Robert and Goldstein, Sam. (2003) The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence and Personal Strength in Your Life. New York: Contemporary Books/McGraw Hill.

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