Occupational Therapy for Dyslexia Helps People Learn and Thrive

When most people think of dyslexia, they think of difficulties with reading. And that is true — dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that primarily affects reading, writing, and spelling. But what many do not realize is that dyslexia can also impact other areas of daily life, such as coordination, focus, organization, and self-esteem. That’s where occupational therapy for dyslexia can play an important role.

Occupational therapists don’t teach reading — but they do work on the foundational skills that support learning, attention, and emotional regulation which are often impacted in individuals with dyslexia. Let’s explore how OT can help children with dyslexia feel more confident, capable, and successful both in and out of the classroom.

Strengthening Fine Motor Skills for Writing

Many children with dyslexia struggle with handwriting — often due to poor fine motor control, low muscle tone, or difficulty with hand-eye coordination. This can make writing slow, tiring, and frustrating. An occupational therapist can help improve:

• Pencil grasp and hand strength
• Letter formation
• Writing fluency and spacing
• Visual-motor integration (how the eyes and hands work together)

By making handwriting easier and more automatic, children can focus more on what they want to say — not just how to get the words on paper.

Supporting Visual Processing Skills

Dyslexia isn’t a vision problem, but many individuals with dyslexia also have visual processing challenges — meaning their brains have trouble interpreting what the eyes see. OTs can help improve:

• Visual tracking (following a line of text)
• Visual discrimination (telling similar letters apart, like “b” and “d”)
• Visual memory (remembering what words look like)
• Eye-hand coordination

These skills are critical for reading, copying from the board, and staying organized on the page.

Improving Executive Function

Dyslexia often goes hand-in-hand with executive functioning difficulties, such as:

• Organizing thoughts
• Following multi-step directions
• Managing time
• Staying focused
• Planning and completing tasks

Occupational therapists work with students to build these life skills using strategies like checklists, visual schedules, timers, and personalized routines — so they can manage schoolwork and daily responsibilities more independently.

Addressing Sensory and Attention Challenges

Children with dyslexia may also experience sensory processing issues, anxiety, or trouble focusing — especially when reading or writing becomes overwhelming. OTs can provide strategies to help:

• Regulate attention and energy levels (using movement breaks, fidget tools, etc.)
• Manage sensory overload in noisy or busy environments
• Build emotional regulation and self-awareness
• Create calm, distraction-free work spaces

These tools help reduce stress and make learning more manageable.

Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem

Perhaps most importantly, OT helps children and teens with dyslexia feel empowered. When reading and writing are hard, kids can begin to feel “less than” their peers. They may avoid schoolwork, withdraw socially, or believe they’re not smart — even when they’re incredibly bright. Occupational therapists work on building confidence, resilience, and self-advocacy, helping children:

• Celebrate their strengths
• Understand how their brain works
• Learn how to ask for what they need
• Approach challenges with a growth mindset

This emotional support can have a lasting impact on academic success and mental health. Dyslexia is a lifelong difference — and with the right support, people with dyslexia can thrive. Occupational therapy offers a unique, whole-child approach that goes beyond reading to support the underlying skills and emotional needs that help individuals succeed in school and life. If your child has dyslexia and struggles with handwriting, focus, organization, or self-confidence, an OT evaluation might be a valuable next step. For more information regarding dyslexia and how occupational therapy can help visit this site: Dyslexia and Occupational Therapy – The OT Toolbox