Dyslexia and Occupational Therapy

Each year, the month of October is recognized worldwide as National Dyslexia Awareness month. Dyslexia is one of the most diagnosed language-based learning disabilities. An estimated 5-10% of the population has dyslexia while 70-80% of individuals with reading difficulties are likely to have some form of dyslexia. Signs of dyslexia, such as difficulties in spoken language, difficulties in reading, writing, and spelling, can present in children as early as preschool. But how can dyslexia affect your child's day-to-day life? Dyslexia can create great amounts of frustrations for children when it comes to reading, writing, behavior, emotional regulation, mental health, and other areas of life that contribute to a child's development; most of which occur daily in a child's life. Occupational therapists can work with an individual who has dyslexia by creating individualized interventions that can aim improve a person's ability to engage in their life at home, school, even in their leisure activities such as play or drawing. Interventions may include targeting a child's handwriting skills, organizational skills, visual perceptual skills, and self-regulation skills; all of which can play key roles in a child's day-today life and development. Ask your therapist about how to recognize potential signs of dyslexia and how they can help your child!

References: 

1. https://numberdyslexia.com/role-of-occupational-therapy-in-managing-dyslexia/

Additional resources for you: 

1. https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-child-with-dyslexia

2. https://dyslexiareadingconnection.com/resources/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwt4X8BRCPARIsABmcnOoJFI0453BtLi9tvIT3j3HlvHKLJrOJCNPF6zEcyYQrJiqeA1YFlcUaAtsyEALw_wcB

3. https://childmind.org/guide/parents-guide-to-dyslexia/