Working with teachers:

Alright parents, I know you are worried about how to help your child have success without hindering them. Here's some words of advice (straight out of The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Dyslexia paraphrased p. 161-166, by Abigail Marshall):

1. Build a strong relationship with your teachers
communicate your concerns to the teacher without engendering hostility. Make an effort to understand the teacher's point of view...keep in mind your child is not the only student in the class. The teacher's managing over 30 students in most cases single-handedly!!!)
If the school permits it, offer to volunteer in the classroom. Use your time to help out and then you can develop a sense of the classroom dynamics and a day's schedule. If you can't volunteer, ask the teacher if there are other ways you can help or if she needs classroom supplies...this may win a teacher's appreciation. If a teacher"s first contact with you is that of a helpful parent then she will be more open to suggestions about your child!

2. Focus on actual needs
don't assume your child will have problems in class before they arise. Have faith in the teacher. If your child complains about problems, ask him to elaborate. If your child doesn't have an IEP or formal diagnosis, you may simply want to describe your child's problems in terms of learning style or personality quirks: "Sam is a strong visual learner. It helps him if he can see pictures or diagrams illustrating the point." Resist the temptation to educate the teacher by supplying her with books, long articles, etc. unless she asks for the information. A very short article, bulleted list, or website is usually more effective.

3.Support the Teacher's Goals
Start by asking whether the teacher has any concerns about your child. My kiddos usually struggle with communication or attention focus that cause problems for teachers. It is possible that your child is disruptive or argumentative with the teacher or has other behavior problems. Listen and help decide how to help the teacher and your child...Don't be too defensive...no one's perfect, not even your child! Remember, a child would rather look bad than dumb! If the teacher complains about your child's behavior, use this as a chance to show the connection between the learning problems and behavior.

4. Leave the Teacher in Control
Compliment the teacher, find the good. Make suggestions NOT demands.
"Do you think it would help if we tried...?"
"What are some ways we could begin implementing this?"...

Ultimately, your child will do better in school if able to advocate for himself
-Help child learn about his own learning style
-Help your child learn how to approach the teacher
-Help your child learn to state things positively
-Role play the situation at home