Learning difficulties in children often have underlying sensory, motor, or visual processing components that occupational therapy can effectively address. At WonderKids in Malta, our therapists identify and treat the foundational skill gaps that make learning challenging, helping children achieve their academic potential.
What Are Learning Difficulties?
Learning difficulties is a broad term that describes challenges with acquiring academic skills at the expected rate. These may present as struggles with reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, or general organisation. While learning difficulties are sometimes linked to specific diagnoses such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, many children experience less defined difficulties that still significantly affect their school performance.
Occupational therapy does not replace specialist educational support but works alongside it by addressing the motor, sensory, and perceptual foundations that academic skills depend on.
How Do Underlying Skills Affect Learning?
Several foundational skills are essential for classroom success. Visual processing allows children to recognise letters, copy from the board, and organise their work on the page. Fine motor control enables legible handwriting and efficient use of classroom tools. Sensory processing helps children filter distractions and maintain attention. Postural control supports sustained sitting. Executive functioning skills allow children to plan, organise, and complete multi-step tasks.
When any of these areas are underdeveloped, learning becomes harder than it should be, regardless of a child’s intelligence.
How We Help at WonderKids
Our assessment process examines the full range of skills that support learning. We use standardised assessments of visual perception, motor skills, sensory processing, and functional performance to identify specific areas of difficulty.
Therapy is tailored to each child and may address:
- Visual processing: Activities to strengthen visual discrimination, memory, spatial awareness, and figure-ground perception
- Handwriting: Developing pencil grip, letter formation, sizing, spacing, and writing speed through structured practice and motor activities
- Fine motor skills: Building hand strength and dexterity for efficient use of pencils, scissors, rulers, and other classroom tools
- Organisation: Teaching strategies for managing materials, planning assignments, and keeping track of belongings
- Sensory regulation: Strategies to help children maintain optimal alertness for learning throughout the school day
What to Expect from Therapy
The journey starts with a comprehensive assessment at our Mosta clinic. We discuss concerns with parents, assess your child, and may request information from school. We then develop a targeted therapy plan with clear, measurable goals.
Sessions are engaging and motivating, using activities that feel like play while systematically building skills. We provide home activities and school recommendations to ensure progress extends beyond the clinic. Regular reviews ensure the programme stays on track.
How Can Parents Support Learning at Home?
Provide a quiet, well-organised homework space, use visual schedules and checklists, encourage reading for pleasure, and celebrate effort over results. Limit screen time in favour of activities that build foundational skills such as puzzles, drawing, and construction play. Our therapists will provide specific guidance for your child.
Why Choose WonderKids?
Our state-registered occupational therapists understand how foundational skills affect academic learning. We collaborate closely with families and schools, offer no waiting lists, and provide therapy in our purpose-built clinic in Mosta. Call +356 77048650 or email info@wonderkids.mt.