Fathers and their ADHD/LD Kids

Fathers whose children have ADHD and/or LD play a special role in their child's life. Schwab Learning has created an e-ssential guide entitled, "Fathers of Kids with Learning Problems" to further discuss this topic. This is a free downloadable publication. It covers such topics as:

• Learning disabilities expert, Richard D. Lavoie, shares his wisdom on the unique contribution dads can make to their child’s success and well-being.
  
• Journalist Melinda Sacks, whose son has learning problems, talks about how dads sometimes get left out of their kids’ daily lives, and how — and why — fathers should stay off the sidelines.
  
• SchwabLearning.org interviews David Sharpe, father of a young adult with learning disabilities, who himself has LD. He describes how dads can model and support a positive attitude, self-awareness, and self-advocacy in relation to learning problems.


• A school psychologist offers dads practical tips for staying involved with their kids; and SchwabLearning.org writer Kristin Stanberry offers strategies for strengthening parents’ partnerships.
  

The only requirement to download this e-ssential guide is Adobe Acrobat Reader.

ADDitude Magazine also offers a wonderful article about the importance a father's role plays in the life of ADHD boys. The article is available online and is entitled Boys with ADD Need Their Dads. It explains why boys with ADHD need extra guidance from their fathers. They also offer tips for bonding with their ADHD sons:

• Join him in a physical activity he can do well such as jogging, martial arts, or bowling and either participate, coach, or cheer him on.


• Understand his ADHD and let him know you do. Be supportive of his therapy.


• Spend time with him. Take him with you when you go shopping. Assist him with school projects or just "hang out" and read, talk or play games together.


• Teach task skills such as basic home or auto repair. Let him be your apprentice on weekend hobbies whether it's carpentry, rebuilding classic cars, fishing, golfing or even barbecuing — just bring him along!
  

If you're a dad, I hope you'll take a little time to read and use this information. If you're a mom, I hope you'll forward this post to your son's father so he may read it.

Happy Father's Day!