Coaching an Athlete with Learning Differences? Start with a Conversation.

Not every coach works in a school. Personal trainers, private hitting instructors, youth coaches, club coaches, athletic trainers, strength coaches, just to list a few. Most of these professionals will never have access to an athlete's IEP or 504 Plan. And that's okay!

But if you're struggling to teach an athlete, don't guess. Have a conversation.

Parents Are Your Best Resource

Parents know their child better than anyone. They've sat through IEP meetings, they've talked with teachers. They've seen what works, and they've seen what doesn't.

A simple question can completely change the way you coach.

"Is there anything that helps your child learn new skills?"

You might learn that they need extra processing time. Maybe they learn best with visual demonstrations. Maybe written reminders work better than verbal instructions. Those small pieces of information can make a huge difference.

Parents: Don't Be Afraid to Share

Many parents worry that sharing information from an IEP will cause people to treat their child differently.

A good coach won't. A good coach wants information because they want to coach your child better.

You don't have to hand over the entire IEP. You don't have to explain every evaluation. Start by sharing a few accommodations that work — it can help a coach become a much better teacher.

You're giving them tools. Not excuses.

Coaches: You're Not Diagnosing Anything

If an athlete struggles to remember instructions...

If they seem overwhelmed by multiple coaching points...

If they consistently need demonstrations...

Don't jump to conclusions. You're not there to diagnose a learning disability. You're there to teach and coach.

Focus on what helps the athlete learn. If you notice consistent challenges, communicate respectfully with the parents. Approach the conversation with curiosity, not assumptions.

A Team Effort

The best outcomes happen when everyone works together. Parents, teachers, coaches and trainers.

The athlete benefits when everyone is pulling in the same direction. No single person has all the answers, but together, everyone has a much clearer picture.

Final Thought

Every coach wants to help athletes reach their potential. Sometimes the biggest breakthrough doesn't happen during practice.

It happens during a five-minute conversation with a parent.

Coaches, don't be afraid to ask.

Parents, don't be afraid to share.

When coaches understand how an athlete learns, they can spend less time fighting learning barriers and more time developing the athlete.

That's what good coaching is all about.