Helping Children with Dyslexia Through Speech Therapy and Art-Based Learning

Children with dyslexia often face challenges that extend beyond just reading and writing. These challenges can affect their confidence, communication, and overall academic success. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, we understand the unique needs of children with dyslexia and offer a supportive, multisensory approach that combines speech therapy with creative expression.

Understanding Dyslexia: It’s More Than Reading Trouble

Dyslexia is a learning difference that primarily affects reading fluency, word recognition, and decoding skills. However, many children with dyslexia also struggle with:

• Phonemic awareness (hearing and manipulating sounds)

• Spelling and word retrieval

• Articulation or word production

• Memory and sequencing tasks

• Low self-esteem from repeated academic frustration

These challenges make communication and classroom participation difficult. That’s where targeted speech therapy becomes essential.

Why Speech Therapy Is Crucial for Children with Dyslexia

While dyslexia is not a speech disorder, many children with dyslexia benefit from speech therapy to build the foundational skills necessary for literacy and verbal expression. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our licensed speech therapists help children:

• Develop phonological awareness (identifying sounds and syllables)

• Improve articulation and fluency

• Strengthen auditory memory and listening comprehension

• Enhance vocabulary and sentence structure

• Build communication confidence in social settings

Speech therapy empowers children to process and express language more effectively—reducing frustration and opening doors to learning.

Using Art as a Language Bridge

Children with dyslexia often have strong visual and creative thinking skills. At OrbRom, we integrate art-based activities into speech therapy sessions to support learning in a non-pressured environment. Through drawing, painting, or creating visual stories, children can:

• Retell stories using their own artwork

• Label and describe their creations to practice vocabulary

• Sequence ideas (first, next, last)

• Match written words with images to build reading confidence

• Express complex feelings they may not yet have the words for

Art becomes a medium for language development and emotional regulation—two key areas where children with dyslexia often need support.

The Phnom Penh Parent’s Role in Supporting Learning

Families in Phnom Penh play a critical role in reinforcing language growth at home. If your child is struggling with reading, writing, or speaking clearly, consider these supportive steps:

• Read together and talk about the story using open-ended questions

• Encourage drawing or journaling to help organize thoughts

• Use phonics games and storytelling apps in both Khmer and English

• Be patient—acknowledge effort, not just outcomes

• Seek a professional Developmental Assessment to identify specific needs and build a plan

When parents and therapists work as a team, children thrive.

At OrbRom Center, Every Child Deserves a Voice

Dyslexia doesn’t have to hold your child back. With individualized speech therapy and engaging tools like art-based learning, your child can unlock their full communication potential. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, we are committed to guiding children toward academic and personal growth through compassionate, effective support.

Explore our Speech Therapy Services and Developmental Assessments to learn how we can help your child succeed.