www.womanthismonth.com December 2021 69 LIFESTYLE | opinion KEEP TRACK OF ANY CONCERNS YOU HAVE. Observe your child and take notes about things that concern you. This will help you notice patterns, which will lead to finding solutions. For instance, if you notice that your child tends to get frustrated with reading, you can look for patterns in what is challenging and when. That can lead to finding the best tools and support to help with those particular issues. FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT SCHOOL. Speak to your child's teacher to see how things are going. Ask questions like: Are they having trouble recognising letters? Does it seem as though reading, writing, or math are especially challenging? Don't forget to ask your child how school is going, too. Try using factual questions to start a conversation: "I know you have more teachers this year than you did last year. How's that going?" TALK TO YOUR CHILD'S DOCTOR. Schedule an appointment with your pediatrician to discuss your concerns, perhaps when your child is not there. Bring your notes to the appointment and be open to sharing any teacher concerns as well. If the doctor uses unfamiliar terms such as "assessment" and "evaluation" when talking about learning and attention issues, ask for clarification, so you understand everything. PLAN THE NEXT STEPS BASED ON YOUR CHILD'S SPECIFIC CHALLENGES. By now, you may have a better idea of what's causing your child's troubles, but you likely still have more than a few questions about what comes next. Seek out more information if you're concerned, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Creating a plan, even if it only includes a few goals, will help you feel more focused, more empowered, and less stressed. CONSIDER CONSULTING WITH A SPECIALIST. Specialists who work with kids with learning and attention issues include clinical child psychologists, pediatric neurologists, physical therapists, educational therapists, occupational therapists, developmental-behavioral pediatricians, and others. They can help address your concerns, identify the specific issues, and work with you to create a plan for your child and your family. REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Connect with other parents to hear their personal stories. This can help you better understand how other families are helping their children—and help you feel less alone. Consider connecting with other parents for support and advice through social media channels or elsewhere.
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