One of the most common questions parents ask us at CRG is, “Should I talk to my child about his/her disability or will that negatively impact his/her self-esteem?” It’s a complicated question, with pro’s and con’s on both sides. What we have learned over the years is that children with LD, ADHD, Asperger’s, depression, anxiety, or other issues know they are different from many of their peers. The question is, How can we help them make sense of those differences while increasing their motivation and resilience? One approach is to help children view challenges as opportunities for growth. Dr. Carol Dweck is a Stanford University psychologist who studies “growth mindset.” This refers to the belief that traits such as intelligence, test-taking skills, or math ability aren’t fixed – they can get better with practice. And the way we think about these practice opportunities has a strong impact on whether or not we will experience positive outcomes while going through them. Read more here about Dr. Dweck’s pioneering approach that has lots of implications for children with disabilities.
Home » Talking with Kids about Failure
