Life Success
For Students With Learning Disabilities:
A Parent Guide

Emotional Coping Strategies

My child... Is aware of how his/her emotional reactions affect behavior Is aware of situations that cause stress, frustration and emotional upset Has developed strategies for avoiding or reducing stress Is able to recognize the onset of stress Knows when outside support/help is needed

Successful individuals with learning disabilities develop an awareness of their emotional states and specific coping strategies for dealing with stress, frustration, and adversity. In an effort to assist children with learning disabilities to develop coping strategies, we suggest that efforts be aimed at helping them:

• Understand the various factors that affect psychological health;
• Become aware of their various emotional reactions and how these reactions impact their behavior;
• Learn to recognize stress triggers;
• Develop strategies for avoiding or reducing stress (as possible);
• Develop a repertoire of coping strategies;
• Learn to recognize when they need outside support/help.

In order to foster the development of emotional coping strategies, the following activities are recommended.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPING EMOTIONAL COPING STRATEGIES Use words in discussions with your child that identify feelings (for example, angry, disappointed, defeated, frustrated, proud, impatient). Ask your child to discuss the circumstances that create the greatest stress in his or her life in relation to his or her learning disability (reading aloud in class, correcting a classmate's paper, picking up social cues at parties, etc.). Have your child write down how his or her body feels at the onset of stress. Discuss with your child the warning signs of stress and how to employ coping strategies. Have your child identify strategies that help reduce stress (for example, relaxation techniques, weight lifting, a game of basketball, listening to music, the movies). Guide your child to know when learning disability-related emotional needs reach a critical point requiring outside help and how to access the right help. Help your child develop and nurture good peer relationships.

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