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As I am both a PHYSIOTHERAPIST and a CLASSROOM TEACHER with extensive experience in working with children with Learning and Movement difficulties I am able to treat several concerns at once.
Often* children affected with Development of Movement and Coordination Difficulties (DCD) or Hypermobility are also found to have Learning Difficulties, Reading, Writing, Handwriting, ASD 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.
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Move to Learn -Learn to Move Physiotherapy, aims to treat the underlying issues associated with poor Handwriting, Coordination or reluctance to play sports. These issues can include: Visual & Spatial awareness/coordination difficulties, poor core strength/awareness, slow reflexes, low endurance, fatigue ( due to managing both a reading/learning difficulty with physical issues is often seen in the over tired child as they have worked twice as hard as other children to survive the school day).
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How Physiotherapy and Teaching work together to help a CHILD’s EDUCATIONAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND overall WELL BEING....
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 coordination difficulties concludes that, without intervention, the majority of children do not outgrow the condition*.
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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:
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• Phonological and Phonemic Awareness (understanding letter sound relationships) with visual, verbal,
kinaesthetic and musical memory games.
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Decoding, fluency and vocabulary skill development
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Being able to connect ideas within and between sentences to help children understand the whole text.
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Working memory and attention skills
• Multisensory Dyslexia programs involving: 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) or Hypermobility treatments:
•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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