Dyslexia is a neurobiological learning disability that affects reading and language processing skills. It is characterized by difficulties with letter recognition, spelling, and reading comprehension. Art therapy was used to treat a 7-year-old boy named Ben who had dyslexia. Therapy sessions incorporated visual art, music, and activities to practice reading and writing. Over 12 months of therapy, Ben showed improved engagement, self-esteem, and motivation to learn. His difficulties with reading and writing functions also improved.

1. Sithara Withanage
Child and Adolescents Theories and
Techniques

2.  Affects reading and related language-based processing skills.
 Dyslexia is neurobiological in origin.
 They have trouble identifying letters (“d” and “b”, “f” and “t” and “m” and “w”)/ words
and have difficulty to spell words and having difficulty to understand what they read.
 Usually diagnosed during school-aged years.
 It affects both oral and written communication.
 Many dyslexic people are extremely bright in lots of ways, but have difficulties to reach
their full potential in their academic field.
 Individuals have difficulty with writing, including
a). Poor spelling and grammar.
b). Often poor handwriting.

3. Introduction Cont.…..
↗According to the International Dyslexia Association estimated that 15-20% of the
general population experiences one or more symptoms of dyslexia.
↗According to 2010 research 80% of children identified as learning disabled and
these children have primary deficits of the area of reading and related language
functions.
↗Dyslexia can affect the individuals’ lives, health and career.

4.  And some of the strengths dyslexic have could guide them to a path of success and with
correct way of teaching them can overcome these situations.
 Strengths that individuals with dyslexia may display:
a). Inquiring mind
b). Problem solving
c). Creative thinking
d). Finding different strategies…etc.
 Dyslexia is different for each person who have it and depends on the severity of the condition
and the effectiveness of instruction or remediation.
 Dyslexia is a life long condition but with the right and proper help dyslexic students can learn
to read and write well.

5. More information….
♣ Dyslexia is not a disease.
♣ Individuals who are having dyslexia aren’t dumb or lazy.
♣ Dyslexic people show symptoms such as late talking, learning new words slowly and delay in
learning to read.
♣ Even if they are able to read they will be slow and will have lots of mistakes.
♣ Dyslexic people are not people with lower IQ.
♣ They can be good at other activities such as drawing, acting…etc.
♣ More often they get anxiety and depression thinking that they’re not good with studies or
they’re stupid than other kids.

6.  Exact causes for Dyslexia are still not completely clear.
 But according to anatomical and brain imagery studies shows differences in the way the brain
of a dyslexic person develops and functions.
 Dyslexia can cause due to genetic factors.

8.  Art therapy is form of a psychotherapy utilising creative modalities including
drawing, crafting…etc.
 Therapy involves the aim or desire to bring about change in human disorder.
 This therapeutic procedure is designed to assist favourable changes in personality or
in living that will outlast the session itself.
 Art therapy is based on the recognition that man’s most fundamental thoughts and
feelings, derived from the unconscious.
 Focus on imagination, communication and socialization.
 To address behaviours without pressure.
 Foster strengths and abilities.
 Adapt to child’s functioning level.
 Allow choice for child.
 Most Important thing: Creative Expression

9.  Ben is 7 year old boy with dyslexia and subjected to long term therapeutic process.
 His intellectual capacities are on average level.
 He comes from a low income family with six children and his elder brother also having
dyslexia.
 His father is on government allowance and his mother is a blue collar worker.
 After Ben start schooling, he experiences difficulties in learning letters, writing and reading.
 He developed fear toward school.
 And after going through psychological tests boy was postponed school until next academic
year.
 And then he presented to art therapy sessions which held twice a week and lasted for 1.5
hours.
 Art therapy room is designed with a table, some armchairs, shelves pictures on the wall and a
magnitude of things to play with and look at it.
 And corner of the room there was another table, cartons, brushes and paints…etc.

10. Therapist applied mainly visual art therapy and also music therapy which comes under art
therapy itself.
Each sessions started with debriefing on latest developments of Ben’s life and the therapist
started each sessions with the conversation of weather, time of the year, favourite game…etc.
Therapist presented drawing and crafting letters and crafting things according to words which Ben
shows interest.
Music techniques were represented by games, singing songs and listening to carefully selected
recording from tape or CD.
These techniques had an relieving effect and mobilized him for taking action.
An additional elements of these activities was learning to play the keyboard when the boy taught
to play simple tunes.
Reading and writing exercises were included in the activities to make them natural part of the
activities.
And all Ben’s sessions recorded including his drawing, poems and singing songs.
And therapist always make sure not to put too much burden on him and allowed him for short
breaks.

11. And instruct his mother to do some of activities at home and convince her that
Ben’s problems with reading and writing are not the result of his laziness or
carelessness but having this particular learning disability.
And therapist encouraged mother to follow her son and not to direct him.
Results after few months of these sessions: (Within 12months)
o He showed enthusiasm to participate these sessions and learn to write and read.
o He enjoyed these techniques.
o Improvement of the disordered functions: perceptions and audio-visual analysis
and synthesis, manual efficiency and visual – motor coordination.
o Improvement towards self-esteem and motivation to learn.
o Initial shyness has decreased.

13. References:
 Chivers, M. (2006). Dyslexia and Alternative Therapies. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Retrieved from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/vu/detail.action?docID=290960
 Cratty, B. J. G. R. L. (1996). Learning Disabilities. Florence: Taylor and Francis. Retrieved from
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/vu/detail.action?docID=254511
 Jena, S. K. (2013). Learning Disability : Theory to Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications Pvt.
Ltd.
 Rubin, J. A. (2005). Child Art Therapy. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. Retrieved
from http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/vu/detail.action?docID=228500
 Reid, G. (2016). Dyslexia. Chicester: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. Retrieved from
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/vu/detail.action?docID=4354942
 Jantzen, C. (2014). Dyslexia. Edinburgh: Floris Books. Retrieved from http://0-
ebookcentral.proquest.com.library.vu.edu.au/lib/vu/detail.action?docID=1643278
 Osmosis youtube channel, Learning Disabilities video. Retrieved from
https://open.osmosis.org/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKCNqHEzLwQ