How Occupational Therapy helps people with learning disabilities 

Dr Joseph Sunny Kunnacherry

Learning disability is a neurodevelopmental condition that interferes with the ability to learn basic skills such as reading, writing, or mathematics. These challenges are not a reflection of intelligence but rather a sign that the brain processes information differently. Without appropriate intervention, individuals with learning disabilities often face academic struggles, low self-esteem, and even mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Key signs to look for include:
1. Writing Challenges
• Persistent letter reversals ( e.g., confusing “b” and d”)
• Mirror writing (e.g., writing “saw” as “was”)
• Occasional letter substitutions (e.g., writing “e” instead of “a”; “pet” instead of “pat”)
These challenges are common in children under 7, but become a concern if they persist.

1. Academic Struggles
   • Reading difficulties (e.g., decoding, phonetics, fluency)
   • Writing challenges (e.g., organizing thoughts, spelling, letter formation, missing lines when copying from board)
   • General messy or poor handwriting (e.g. irregular size, sloppy spaces between letters/words)
   • Math struggles (e.g., understanding numbers, basic arithmetic concepts)

2. Memory and Concentration Issues
   • Difficulty remembering instructions or sequences
   • Poor focus, easily distracted

3. Following Instructions
   • Struggling to follow multi-step instructions
   • Difficulty with simple, one step directions
   • Appears clumsy in his/her movements, often walking into objects

Role of Occupational Therapy in Helping Children with Learning Disabilities
Occupational Therapy is crucial in supporting children with learning disabilities by addressing specific challenges and fostering overall development. Therapy changes as the child grows, initially focusing on sensory integration, basic socialization, and self-help skills. Later, it helps develop social play, motor skills, and writing. By adolescence, the focus shifts to independent living, social skills, and vocational interests.

Here are some strategies to create an inclusive environment:
1. Offer clear, direct communication with simple language.
2. Breaking tasks down into smaller and more manageable chunks
3. Provide teachers with training on inclusive practices use visual cues (labels, color-coding) for better understanding.
4. Incorporate scheduled sensory activities like using therapy balls or cushions.
5. Establish a consistent daily routine and communicate changes in advance.
6. Use timers to help children anticipate activity transitions.

Benefits of Occupational Therapy in Learning Disabilities
Occupational Therapy helps to develop motor skills necessary for daily life, such as handwriting, dressing, and self-care. Children with learning disabilities often struggle with sensory processing, making it hard to focus and engage with their environment. OT addresses sensory challenges and teaches self-regulation, attention, and impulse control—essential for academic and social success.

Occupational therapy also enhances cognitive skills like problem-solving and memory, helping children become more independent. Social skills are improved through group activities, where the child practices turn-taking and sharing, leading to better interaction with peers and family. Additionally, OT supports teachers by modifying classroom settings to accommodate each child’s learning needs. An Occupational Therapist might recommend using a slant board to improve handwriting posture or providing fidget tools to help a child stay focused. They might also suggest adaptive seating, such as wobble cushions, to support children with sensory needs, or color-coded folders to assist with organization and memory retention.
Correct sitting posture is essential for children with learning disabilities, as it impacts their ability to focus, engage in learning activities, and perform tasks efficiently. Poor posture can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and difficulty in motor coordination. Occupational therapists often provide strategies and interventions to help children maintain proper posture.
Children with learning disabilities often face challenges in writing, including issues with handwriting readability. Therapists work with them to improve essential skills and enhance handwriting speed appropriate for the child’s age.
Additionally, therapists address pencil grip through guided practice and exercises aimed at improving wrist and shoulder stability, ensuring better control and coordination while writing. These strategies help the child engage better in learning and classroom activities.
Therapy is customised to each child’s strengths and challenges, ensuring it is both effective and supportive.
When learning difficulties go unrecognized, children may become frustrated and misunderstood, which can make the challenges even harder to overcome. By identifying learning disabilities early and providing the right support, we can help children thrive and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. Early identification leads to better inclusion and a brighter future for all.

Dr Joseph Sunny Kunnacherry is Director, Prayatna