The start of a new school year presents unique challenges for millions of children with learning and thinking differences such as ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia. These neurodivergent students face additional stress as they navigate academic environments that may not immediately accommodate their specific needs.

Understanding Learning Differences

According to licensed psychologist Andrew Kahn from Understood.org, conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and dyscalculia all affect how the brain processes information. Dyslexia impacts reading and writing abilities, while dyscalculia impairs mathematical comprehension.

"For kids with learning and thinking differences, engaging in academics, engaging in just being in new places can be so stressful," Kahn explains. These neurological differences are often misunderstood because they aren't immediately visible to observers.

"For a lot of teachers and parents, when you're in situations with multiple kids, it's often hard to look below the surface and figure out what's happening with these kids," Kahn notes.

How Parents Can Help

Kahn emphasizes that parents play a crucial role in their neurodivergent child's academic success. He recommends a three-step approach:

Educate Yourself: Gather reliable information about your child's specific neurological differences and understand how these conditions impact their school experience.

Advocate Actively: Communicate directly with teachers and school administrators about your child's needs.

Share Strategies: Kahn suggests creating a brief introduction letter at the start of each school year that outlines your child's strengths, challenges, and proven strategies that help them succeed.

"At the start of the school year, formulating a little get to know you letter, here are some strengths of my child, here are things that they struggle with, and very importantly, some strategies that tend to work for them," he recommends.

This proactive communication helps teachers better understand and support neurodivergent students throughout the academic year.

Back-to-School Support for Neurodivergent Students