Meeting the Social and Emotional Needs of Students with Disabilities

It’s not uncommon for a learning disability to have an emotional impact on a child, nor is it unusual for children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability to go through a period of feeling frustrated, anxious or sad. It is often very difficult for students if they recognize that they are falling behind their peers in the classroom.

Signs that Children May Be Struggling Emotionally

A reduced sense of self-esteem, increased sadness or irritability, or an increase in anxiety (especially in academic situations) could all be indicators that a child is struggling emotionally. Reduced motivation, acting out and physical symptoms, such as stomach aches and headaches, can also be signs to look out for.

How to Help

Education experts such as Sir Peter Birkett know that finding their talent is one of the most important things that can be done to support a student with a learning disability. Identify something that gives the child a sense of accomplishment and mastery and ensure they’re given plenty of time to practice it. This can help boost self-esteem, confidence and general wellbeing.

It’s also crucial to set children up for success. This means setting achievable, modest goals that the child can diligently work towards. Doing so allows a child to see the progress they’re making and therefore be more motivated to continue putting in the effort.

Finding the Right Academic Environment

Sometimes, children may feel as though they ‘stand out’ because they require more help in the learning environment than they are receiving. Where this is the case, it’s a good idea for parents to work with their child’s school and provider to assess the child’s needs and whether they’re being met.

It’s possible that the child may need additional accommodations to be made, a different style of tutoring or perhaps a change of school. Some specialized schools provide remedial support as part of a curriculum tailored to the individual child, rather than offering this support as an extra-curricular element of the child’s schooling.

The Use of Games

Naturally fun and engaging, games can be a good way of practicing social and emotional skills in school and provide an approximation of situations students may encounter in real life. Furthermore, selected games can help students practice, for example, impulse control, listening, empathy and oral communication, often without realizing they’re doing so.