My daughter may try out for cheerleading. She in gymnastic and she really like to cheer and jumps. She was on the cheering squad in grade school and did’nt have to try out. My question is when she trys out for junior high and high school. Does the people or person that judging her to be on the squad have a proflie of her LD and know that, and possible may not pick her because of her LD and pick a regular student that has no Ld. I need an honest answer before she trys out. Any advice would help.
P.S I know she has to have good grade to make it.
cheerleading and LD
I can only say in my school no gym teacher would ever know that a child has an LD. Is the cheerleading coach a gym teacher or a classroom teacher?
Re: Question in cheerleadering with a Ld student
I’d say it depends on what her LD is.
If she only has problems with written work but gets along fine socially, why mention it?
On the other hand, if she is like my kid and absolutley must be given instructions face to face and one thing at a time period, well, you’d better tell the coach before the tryouts, because the coach will think that she is not listening or lazy and all that.
Go for it!
That’s great! Best of luck to her!
Personally speaking, as a coach, I would say that you are under no obligation to divulge such info. yes, it would be nice to know in case she were on meds (in case of an emergency) or if she has behavioral issues. Otherwise, it should be a non-issue. And I think that continuing to cheer will hopefully keep up her self esteem!
Keep us posted :)
Re: Question in cheerleadering with a Ld student
They may have access to the information but in all likelihood, even if they *have* seen it, have not made a mental list of classified kids. OTOH if sped kids go to different rooms, etc, and the teachers have seen this they may associate her face with “being a special ed kid.” But, I’d say in all lieklihood that — especially if she doesn’t come across as different — they won’t know.
Impossible to know who they’d likely give an advantage to, too — there are those who would favor the “special” child. And of course a whole lot depends on the specific cheerleading culture there.
She has skills in gymnastics that is where she will shine…My daughter has an LD but she is also a fantastic athlete and she is a fish, she tried out for Water polo…what her coach said…”sports can be a equalizer for kids with “LD’s.” Water polo has been one of the best things for her…and her grades are staying up there too.