As a parent, you know your child is smart. But then they struggle with focus or they get frustrated when they’re learning something new. But they struggle to focus, get frustrated easily, or seem overwhelmed when learning something new. You might think they just need to try harder, or maybe more tutoring is the answer. But what if the real issue isn’t academic at all?
I am Lisa Tarr. I’m a physical therapist and the CEO and founder of First Steps Pediatric Therapy. Today, I’m here to tell you that pediatric therapy can help kids who struggle with learning. And it’s not by doing more schoolwork. It’s by supporting them how they learn best.
Certain Learning Struggles Can Be Signs of Developmental Delays
A lot of times, learning struggles are linked to other developmental delays. You may notice:
- Your child can’t sit still
- They avoid tasks
- They struggle to follow multiple-step directions
- They melt down when given demands
These behaviors aren’t your child acting out. What you’re seeing may be signs of:
- Sensory processing difficulty
- Auditory or language processing delays
- Underdeveloped cognitive or motor skills
Statistically, 1 in 5 children in the U.S. have a learning or attention issue, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities. It’s not bad behavior, it’s just the way their brain is wired. They’re learning a little bit differently.
These Challenges Can’t Be Helped with Tutoring or More Study
Traditionally, when parents see a child falling behind academically, they think about tutoring. But tutoring isn’t always the answer. More practice won’t fix those underlying problems if a child has trouble sitting in a chair, processing verbal instructions, or regulating their emotions.
If your child shuts down during school, homework, or even when you’re just trying to parent them, those may be signs of a sensory processing challenge. Tutoring can’t help with that.
Tutoring helps with what they learn. Therapy helps with how they learn. For example, if your child can’t hold a pencil correctly, no amount of tracing will help. But occupational therapy can work on grip strength, adapt their pencil grip, and develop hand strength to support that skill.
How Pediatric Therapy Helps Kids with Learning Struggles
Pediatric occupational therapy helps kids with their focus, attention, sensory regulation, and emotional functioning. If your child melts down from a noise, or they can’t organize their own tasks, or they avoid lots of writing or reading, occupational therapy can help with those concerns.
Pediatric physical therapists like me help kids build their strength, endurance, postural control, and sensory motor skills regulation. We can also help them with the skills they need for learning. We treat kids who are often slumping down, who fatigue easily or struggle with motor coordination, as these can all interfere with learning any new skills.
Early Intervention Can Help Your Child Succeed in School
Starting pediatric therapy early can help build confidence and support your child proactively, before they hit school age. Nothing has to be “wrong” for your child to receive therapy. They don’t have to be recovering from an injury, which is a common myth. You can think of pediatric therapy as “personal training” instead of “rehabilitation.”
For that reason, we’re not going to wait until our kids fail before we provide services. We want to support kids earlier so they don’t experience emotional dysregulation or difficulty in school later on. And early therapy helps build a strong foundation for success. It supports:
- Participation in tasks
- Improved focus
- Emotional control
- Coordination
- Peer communication skills
And statistically, kids who get early intervention services are four times more likely to make significant gains before school starts. That’s part of the reason the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federally mandated program.
Reach Out to First Steps for Expert Support
Pediatric therapy isn’t about “fixing” kids. It’s about supporting them and giving them the tools they need to excel in their own way. If you’ve learned something new today, or you’re constantly battling your child around these kinds of challenges, contact us for an evaluation. We’re here to help.
Contact us to schedule an evaluation at (720) 900-7432. We also offer a free 15-minute consult if you’re unsure and want to speak to a licensed therapist before scheduling.
