Literacy of Children with Physical Disabilities: A Literature Review

The ability to read and write can influence an individual's educational, communication, and vocational opportunities. Occupational therapists can assist children with physical disabilities to achieve literacy skills. By setting priorities and goals for each child, in conjunction with their parent(s), opportunities can be provided and technologies utilized to access literacy material and enhance the child's abilities to read and write. This extensive literature review provides clinicians with information on the factors that influence the development of literacy for children with physical disabilities. The expectations and priorities of parent(s) are critical determinants of whether opportunities will be provided for the child to learn to read and write. This article concludes with recommendations and strategies for the use of technology to help develop literacy skills, and future research questions for considerations.