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Adolescents with learning disabilities not only have to deal with physical and emotional changes, but they must also struggle with learning differences that complicate academic progress.

And, learning disabilities don't automatically improve with age. Problems with reading, spelling, and math often follow adolescents through school. Teens who read slowly or need extra time to process information may find academic demands overwhelming. The best way to help your teen is to identify the learning disability early so that you can create a program to help her treat it.

Signs to Look For

While discussing his own childhood, Richard Collins, Phd.,...

Adolescents with learning disabilities not only have to deal with physical and emotional changes, but they must also struggle with learning differences that complicate academic progress.

And, learning disabilities don't automatically improve with age. Problems with reading, spelling, and math often follow adolescents through school. Teens who read slowly or need extra time to process information may find academic demands overwhelming. The best way to help your teen is to identify the learning disability early so that you can create a program to help her treat it.

Signs to Look For

While discussing his own childhood, Richard Collins, Phd., head of the Brehm School in Southern Illinois, said that he'd rather be known as having an attitude than be considered stupid. For that reason he managed to get himself kicked out of class right before he had to read aloud. Negative behaviors may be a red flag that the student needs academic help not discipline.

Other signs to look for include:

• Those with auditory processing problems may miss significant parts of the teacher's lecture.
• Some may have difficulty listening and taking notes.
• Others can't sustain their focus for several hours of classroom time.

What You Can Do

If your teen is learning disabled, here are some ways to help them in school:

• Some LD students do well by receiving resource help as well more time on tests. Talk to your child's teacher about what additional help is possible.
• Special notepaper with carbon enables students to receive the notes of another classmate.
• Several colleges have special programs that cater to motivated students with learning disabilities.

For yourself, consider holding back a bit and letting your child become an advocate for herself. After years of receiving help for their learning disabilities, some adolescents can develop learned helplessness. Instead of advocating for themselves, these students become passive learners by expecting the teacher to tell them what to do. They miss out on being problem solvers. By encouraging your child to take on some of the responsibility for herself, you're helping her prepare for life after school.

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