Any experience of OT and dyslexia please - don't really understand what they do!

[sunnydelight]

Don't really want to ask in RL as with two dyslexic kids I feel maybe I should know this already

Have recently moved to Oz where everyone seems to be suggesting OT for my boys, but I don't know what they actually do. One SENCO said it would help DS1 with his issues about copying things down from the board. It was also mentioned in a p/t meeting I had for DS2 but his teacher dismissed the SENCO's suggestion saying that it would be "just another extra thing".

I know that an OT attends their school, though I'm not sure if it's something the school can provide at their discretion (like the literacy support programme that DS2 is on), or if it is "user pays". Everyone seems to assume that I understand the benefits but I don't. Help please!

OT does include exercises which will help visual scanning which aids copying down from board. Also if they have problems with handwriting this will help pencil control and writing stamina.

Concentration problems and general moving about and fidgeting can be helped by exercises which strngthen their 'core stability'.

Normally you would have an assessment by an OT who would then discuss the options and how it would help.

OT would only be useful if they have dyspraxia (commonly called 'clumsy child syndrome') alongside their reading difficulties. Many dyslexics have absolutely no problems with motor movements and are very athletic, so the two difficulties don't have to go together.

If your two children DO have movement difficulties, I have a webpage of simple exercises designed by an OT that you could try out with them:

www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/exercise.htm

Thanks for the replies, and the link maverick. When I had DS2 assessed by an EdPsych I raised the issue of dyspraxia as he is a classic "clumsy child" - no balance (can't ride a bike), can't throw/catch very well etc. but she said not. I think those exercises might be worth a try. I might see if I can find someone who could give DS1 some very specific help with visual scanning.