Midway through the school year is a good time to assess how your child with learning disabilities is doing in specifics, and in general.

Some general questions: How is your child's health? Is he showing signs of stress at home or in school? Is her growth curve continuing on an upward swing, both height and weight? How is your child's mood; happy or sad; has it changed lately?

For a child that does not communicate well verbally, those are unspoken signs to look for to help with the general evaluation of your child.

Specifics: Schedule a conference with your child's main teacher. Questions to ask: Is my child on track with his school plan for the year? Is he getting along better or worse with the other kids? Is she interrelating as appropriate for her abilities?

Is she cooperating with efforts to help her succeed at her tasks for learning? Does he need any special help in any area? Are there any new issues that have come up in school, that need more attention and action? Is she adjusting to her classroom setting this year?

Now, it's time for further planning and action: 1. Write out the general and specific points evaluated. 2. Tackle the larger areas first, such as happiness, health or safety concerns - areas that impact the specific learning issues.

To improve your child's general health, institute an easy to eat and simple diet suited to your child's specific needs.

Begin a regular and fun exercise routine that will build large muscle strength and improve large motor coordination. Some ideas are after-school sports such as soccer or individual sports like swimming in a pool.

For socialization there are clubs to be joined, or community service activities - be sure a helper goes along as a buddy to watch out for a younger or special needs child.

Moving on to specifics consider setting up a monthly conference with your child's main teacher so you both know what progress your child is making in school. This is a time for further communication between parent and teacher to build the teamwork of home and school that breeds success.

If you develop a cooperative relationship with your child's teacher they are more likely to feel comfortable talking with you about your child's issues.

Success in school and with life is a cooperative adventure between parents, students and school personnel. Taking time to keep on top of your child's situation in general and specifics leads to your child's opportunities for optimum growing and learning experiences.

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Article by Susan Kramer