Why Physiotherapy and Teaching works well for Children with Reading, Writing, Dyslexia and or Coordination issues?

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Often* children affected with Development of Movement and Coordination Difficulties (DCD) or Hypermobility are also found to have Learning, Reading, Writing, Handwriting and/or Attention issues. A large percent of specific learning difficulties/disabilities (up to 80 percent) show themselves as problems learning to read and write.

 

There is extensive evidence that the combination of these difficulties can have considerable impact on children's lives as they can struggle in school, at sport and at home. Research on improvement of children with DCD concludes that, without intervention, the majority of children do not outgrow the condition*.

 

Treatment needs to be individualised, engaging and child focused. With both families and children participating in the goal setting process. Reading, Handwriting or Writing difficulties can be addressed individually or simultaneously with any movement, strength or coordination concerns as children often learn best through a variety of senses.

 

Approaches used to help children with reading and writing concerns include:

   • Phonological and Phonemic Awareness (understanding letter sound 

    relationships) with visual, verbal, kinaesthetic and musical memory

    games. 

• Decoding, fluency and vocabulary skill development

• Being able to connect ideas within and between sentences to help children understand the whole text.

• Working memory and attention skills

   • Multisensory Dyslexia programs involving: focus and mindfulness;

    body/spatial/visual awareness and mindfulness to assist with letter

    disorientation; symbol words; phonological skills and visual-kinaesthetic

    trigger word learning.

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Development of Movement and Coordination Difficulties (DCD):

 

 • Sensory integration therapy combining coordination development with 

  reading skills

 • Strength and endurance training through use of gym balls, exercise bands,

  child-focused Pilates activities and games 

 • Coordination, Balance and fluidity of movement practice

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 Specifically assisting children with handwriting difficulties includes:

 •  Fine motor skills, arm and hand muscle strength games, and visual motor training to assist in handwriting, scissor skills and handling of small objects

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     *Children with developmental coordination disorders (Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine,(2007 Apr; 100(4): 182–186. ))