Skip to main content
FamilyEducation
FamilyEducation
Family Education

FE-Menu

  • Pregnancy
    • <blank>
      • Pregnancy Tracker
      • Trying to Conceive
      • Signs & Symptoms
      • Pregnancy Health
    • <blank>
      • Baby Names
      • High Risk Pregnancies
      • Preparing for Baby
    • <blank>
      • Concerns & Complications
      • Labor & Delivery
      • Postpartum
  • Baby Names
    • <blank>
      • Browse All Baby Names (A-Z)
      • Top Names for Boys
      • Top Names for Girls
      • Baby Name Generator
    • <blank>
      • Baby Name Lists & Ideas
      • First Names By Origin
      • Browse All Last Names (A-Z)
      • Last Names by Origin
  • Babies
    • <blank>
      • Caring For Your Baby
      • Baby's Health
      • Feeding Your Baby
    • <blank>
      • Your Baby and Sleep
      • Baby's Growth & Development
      • Baby Hygiene
    • <blank>
      • Baby Safety
      • Baby Products
    • <blank>
  • Toddlers
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Growth and Development
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Behavior and Discipline
    • <blank>
      • Your Toddler and Sleep
  • Kids
    • <blank>
      • Health
      • Childhood Development
      • Fitness & Nutrition
      • Childhood Safety
    • <blank>
      • Communicating with Your Kids
      • Childhood Behavior and Discipline
      • Fostering Responsibility
      • Instilling Values & Manners
    • <blank>
      • Childcare
      • Neurodiversity in Kids
      • Adopting Children
  • Teens
    • <blank>
      • Teen Health
      • Teen Puberty & Sex
    • <blank>
      • Behavior & Discipline
      • Teen Social Development
    • <blank>
      • Values & Responsibilities
  • Activities
    • <blank>
      • Printables
      • Indoor Activities
      • Learning Activities
      • Arts and Crafts
      • Performing Arts
      • Food Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
    • <blank>
      • Books
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Online
      • Quizzes
      • Games
      • Celebrities
    • <blank>
      • Parties
      • Travel
      • Toys
      • Holidays
      • Gifts
  • Learning
    • <blank>
      • By Grade
      • By Subject
      • College
      • Preschool
    • <blank>
      • Back to School
      • Study Skills
      • Learning Styles
    • <blank>
      • Homeschooling
      • Parental Involvement
      • Your Child's School
  • Family Life
    • <blank>
      • Mom Life
      • Dad Life
      • Family Relationships
      • Having a Healthy Marriage
      • Divorce
    • <blank>
      • Health & Fitness
      • COVID Resources
      • Managing Your Home
      • Moving Your Family
      • Pets
    • <blank>
      • Family Finances
      • Work
      • Families and Food
  • NewslettersNewsletters
    Newsletters

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. School and Learning
  3. Back to School
  4. Easing The Middle-School Transition For A Child With LD

Easing the Middle-School Transition for a Child with LD

This article offers specific advice for parents of children with LD about how to make the transition form Middle School to High School as easy as possible.
familyeducation logo
FamilyEducation Staff
Updated: December 1, 2022
  • facebook share icon
  • pin
  • twitter share icon
  • email share icon
  • Print page icon

Easing the Middle-School Transition for a Child with LD

easingmidleschl.gifUnderstanding the Changes
How can you prepare your child with LD for the transition to middle school? The first step is to understand the changes he will be going through, and how his LD may affect his adjustment.

The Differences Are...
In middle school, your child will have to get used to:

  • A larger school with more students
  • Different teachers for each subject and less individual attention
  • More homework and more emphasis on grades

    Developmental Changes
    She also may be entering early adolescence, a time when the following occurs:

  • Peers become more important.
  • She wants more independence.
  • She expresses her individuality.

    Likely Problems
    Students with LD often enter middle school with difficulties in the following areas:

  • Problems organizing homework and belongings
  • Difficulty following directions and completing assignments
  • Reading that is below grade level and poor spelling

    The combination of these factors may make the transition to middle school stressful.

    What You Can Do
    Here's how to minimize your child's anxiety this spring:

  • Reflect on his elementary experiences. Prepare a summary that includes information on his learning strengths and weaknesses, what difficulties he has with homework, and teachers that helped him the most and why.

  • Meet the middle-school guidance counselor. Invite your child along and encourage him to ask questions and to discuss his learning needs. Bring a copy of the summary. What teachers will he have and why? What will he be learning and how is the information presented?

  • Visit the school. Can your child spend a half-day visiting the school and "shadowing" a first year middle-school student? Could he meet some of his teachers at that time?

    At the start of middle school:

  • Revisit the school. A few days before school starts, visit the school to locate your child's homeroom and locker.

  • Meet with the teachers. You and your child should meet with the "team" of teachers. Discuss her learning needs. Provide a copy of the summary and information on where and when teachers can contact you.

    During the year:

  • Attend "open houses." Although time is often limited in the classrooms, make a point of re-introducing yourself to each teacher. Attend other informational meetings offered at the school or by your town's special education department.

  • Don't hesitate to call. Call the teachers or the guidance counselor if you sense that your child is having difficulty in school.

  • familyeducation logo
    About the author
    FamilyEducation Staff

    This writer is a part of the FamilyEducation editorial team. Our team is comprised of parents, experts, and content professionals dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and relevant information in the parenting space.

    View more articles from this author

    What's hot

    • MoneyinHands School and LearningTop 10 Graduation Gifts
    • 8 Printable Thank-You Cards for Teacher Appreciation Week School and Learning8 Printable Thank-You Cards…
    • 5-Year-Old Write Backward School and LearningI Need Help! My Five-Year-Old…
    • "Thanks, Teacher!" Card Kids Can Color School and Learning"Thanks, Teacher!"…
    NewslettersNewsletters
    Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.
    Family Education
    FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found here.

    FE Footer

    • Newsletter Center
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Editorial Policy
    • Editorial Team
    • Expert Panel
    • Cookie Policy
    • Site Map
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Terms of Use
    • Do Not Sell My Info (for CA Residents)
    sandbox learning logo
    Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. 

    factmonster logoinfoplease logoTeacherVision logo

    sandbbox logo
    ©2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company.