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learning disabilities and self-esteem

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I’m the basketball coach of a 16-year-old girl with visual and auditory processing difficulties, as well as short-term memory loss. I’m also a teacher at our school, and I keep tabs on her academically as well as athletically. I work with her special education teacher and talk with her mom.

She’s a sensitive girl to begin with. On top of that, she has low self-esteem, like most LD kids. I’ve been trying to boost her self-esteem since I started at the school last September. It’s really difficult, though. Today I got frustrated with her because she showed me her progress report and she’s failing math, her worst subject. Yet she wouldn’t go with me to talk with her special ed teacher about tutoring. I’m guessing it’s because she’s afraid of looking stupid by asking for help (he’s offered to help her but says she doesn’t ask him). She is also a “tough girl” and our school is in the ‘hood, which is probably another reason she feels inhibited.

I’m committed to continuing to help her and boost her self-esteem……she looks up to me a lot and I think she’s a great kid with a lot of potential, even if she doesn’t see or believe that. But she frustrates me so much sometimes.

What are some other ways to boost self-esteem in LD kids, and how long does it take before some serious changes can be seen? Does anyone have any success stories around this?

Thanks

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