Explore Dyslexia at Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health. Our expert team provides tailored therapies and support to help individuals overcome reading and learning challenges associated with dyslexia.

Dyslexia Support in Perth

Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy to Help with Reading, Spelling and Learning (Malaga & Noranda)

Dyslexia is a common specific learning difficulty that primarily affects word reading, spelling, and decoding. With the right supports in place, children, teens, and adults with dyslexia can make strong progress and thrive at school, work, and in everyday life. At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, we support functional communication, literacy foundations, learning participation, and confidence—while working alongside families, schools, and other professionals where appropriate.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental learning difficulty that affects how a person processes written language. It is most commonly associated with difficulties in:

• Accurate word reading

• Reading fluency

• Spelling

• Decoding (sounding out unfamiliar words)

Dyslexia is not caused by low intelligence or poor effort. Many people with dyslexia have average or above-average intelligence and can have significant strengths (e.g., problem-solving, creativity, reasoning, and verbal skills), while still finding written words more effortful.

How Dyslexia Can Affect Learning and Daily Life

Dyslexia can impact:

• Reading accuracy and speed, especially with unfamiliar words

• Spelling, including inconsistent spelling across the same word

• Written expression, where getting ideas onto paper can take extra effort

• Reading comprehension, particularly when a lot of effort is spent decoding

• Confidence and motivation, especially if learning has felt repeatedly hard

• Fatigue from sustained reading and writing tasks
  
  

What Causes Dyslexia?

The exact cause is not fully understood, but dyslexia is widely understood to involve differences in how the brain processes language—particularly the sound structure of words. Factors that may contribute include:

Genetic Factors

Dyslexia often runs in families.

Neurodevelopmental Differences

Some individuals show differences in the development of the brain networks used for reading and language processing.

Learning Environment and Support Factors

Early and consistent literacy exposure supports reading development for all children; however, dyslexia can still occur even with strong instruction. The key point is that effective support changes outcomes.

Signs and Symptoms of Dyslexia

Signs can look different depending on age. Common indicators include:

Early Years (Pre-primary / Early Primary)

• Difficulty learning letter–sound relationships

• Trouble identifying rhymes or manipulating sounds in words

• Slower progress with early reading despite practice
  
  

Primary School

• Ongoing difficulty decoding unfamiliar words

• Slow, effortful reading or guessing words

• Spelling that is inconsistent or significantly below expectations

• Avoiding reading aloud or written tasks

• Difficulty copying from the board or organising written work
  
  

High School and Adults

• Slow reading rate and reduced endurance for study

• Persistent spelling difficulties

• Avoidance of reading/writing-heavy tasks where possible

• Strong verbal skills but difficulty showing knowledge in writing under time pressure
  
  

If these signs are impacting learning or confidence, an assessment pathway can help clarify what supports are most appropriate.

How Palms Can Help

Palms provides allied health supports that target the functional impacts of dyslexia. Our role may sit alongside school-based support and specialist educational services.

Speech Pathology Support for Dyslexia

Speech pathologists can support oral language and literacy foundations that underpin reading and spelling, such as:

• Phonological awareness (hearing and manipulating sounds in words)

• Sound–symbol knowledge (when clinically appropriate and aligned with goals)

• Vocabulary and language comprehension to support reading meaning

• Narrative skills (storytelling, sequencing, organising ideas)

• Strategy-based supports for classroom learning demands (following instructions, summarising, explaining)
  
  

Important scope note: Some structured literacy programs are delivered by educators/specialist tutors. Speech pathology may support key language underpinnings and work collaboratively with families/schools (with consent), but we will always stay within scope and refer to education-based services where needed.

Occupational Therapy Support for Dyslexia

Occupational therapists can help reduce barriers to school participation and written output by supporting:

• Handwriting and fine motor foundations (where relevant)

• Posture and endurance for classroom tasks

• Visual–motor integration (e.g., copying, spacing, layout)

• Executive function supports (planning, organising, task initiation)

• Sensory regulation strategies when attention/fatigue impacts learning

• Practical adaptations to improve independence (e.g., routines, checklists)
  
  

Individualised Programs

We tailor support based on:

• The person’s age and learning demands

• Strengths, interests, and goals

• What is most functionally important (school participation, homework, exams, work tasks)

• Family and school context
  
  

Why Early Support Matters

Early intervention can:

• Strengthen literacy foundations before gaps widen

• Reduce frustration and avoid negative learning experiences

• Support confidence and engagement

• Help families and teachers use strategies consistently

Progress varies between individuals, but timely support often leads to meaningful improvements in participation and learning confidence.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

Support at home does not need to be complicated. Helpful approaches often include:

Create a Supportive Learning Environment

• Short, predictable practice times

• Reduced pressure and lots of encouragement

• Celebrate effort and progress, not just accuracy
  
  

Use Assistive Supports

• Audiobooks and text-to-speech

• Speech-to-text for written tasks

• Spelling supports and word prediction tools (age-appropriate)
  
  

Read Together in Ways That Build Confidence

• Shared reading (you read some, they read some)

• Discuss stories to build comprehension and vocabulary

• Choose high-interest books to reduce avoidance
  
  

Collaborate With School

With consent, we can help families identify functional supports and communicate strategies that may assist classroom participation.

Book Dyslexia Support in Perth (Malaga & Noranda)

If you’re looking for support for dyslexia in Perth (Malaga or Noranda), our team can help you understand strengths and needs and build a practical plan to support participation, learning, and confidence.

Please visit these other websites for further information:

Dyslexia Australia – Provides comprehensive information and resources for understanding and managing dyslexia.

• https://www.dyslexiaaustralia.com.au

Learning Difficulties Australia – Offers resources for teachers, parents, and individuals with learning difficulties, including dyslexia.

• https://www.ldaustralia.org

The Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation – Dedicated to supporting individuals with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties through education and resources.

• https://www.dyslexia-speldfoundation.org.au

Australian Dyslexia Association – Advocacy and support for individuals with dyslexia and their families.

• https://dyslexiaassociation.org.au

Raising Children Network – Provides practical advice and support for parents dealing with dyslexia and other learning difficulties.

• https://raisingchildren.net.au

The Australian Psychological Society – Resources for understanding dyslexia and psychological support.

• https://www.psychology.org.au

International Dyslexia Association – Offers a wealth of information on dyslexia and strategies for educators and parents.

• https://dyslexiaida.org

The Reading League – Dedicated to improving literacy outcomes for all children, including those with dyslexia.

• https://www.readingleague.org

KidsMatter – Provides guidance and resources for educators and parents on supporting children with learning difficulties, including dyslexia.

• https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au

Learning Difficulties Coalition – Advocacy and resources for learning difficulties, including dyslexia.

• https://learningdif.org.au