Why Therapeutic Support Like Drawing and Talking Can Help Dyslexic and SEN Children Thrive

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Understanding the Whole Child: Why Therapy Matters

When a child is struggling with learning, whether it’s due to dyslexia, ADHD, or another special educational need (SEN), it’s easy to focus only on academic support. But learning doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s deeply connected to how a child feels.

That’s where therapeutic approaches like Drawing and Talking come in. They help children process emotions, reduce anxiety, and feel more secure, creating the emotional foundations needed for learning and progress.

What Is Drawing and Talking Therapy?

Drawing and Talking is a gentle, non-intrusive therapeutic intervention designed to help children express their thoughts and feelings through art. Rather than focusing on the content of the drawings, the approach gives children a safe, confidential space to “tell their story” over time.

It’s not about teaching drawing skills or analysing artwork, it’s about building trust, connection, and emotional safety.

Why Is This Support Important for Dyslexic and SEN Children?

Children with dyslexia or other learning differences often experience:

• Anxiety around school or learning

• Frustration from feeling misunderstood

• Low self-esteem after repeated challenges

• Social difficulties or feeling “different” from peers

  
  

These feelings can build up quietly over time and affect a child’s mental health, motivation, and ability to engage with learning.

Drawing and Talking offers a safe, contained space where children can:

• Offload worries without pressure

• Build emotional resilience

• Develop self-understanding

• Feel seen and heard

What Does a Session Look Like?

Each Drawing and Talking session:

• Lasts around 30 minutes

• Takes place at the same time each week for 12 weeks

• Involves drawing and open, non-directive conversation

• Is child-led and non-judgemental

  
  

The adult does not ask questions or try to interpret the drawings. This allows the child to process at their own pace.

The Impact on Learning and Wellbeing

By helping children feel emotionally supported and regulated, therapeutic support can:

• Improve focus and engagement in class

• Reduce school-related anxiety

• Boost confidence and self-worth

• Help children feel safe enough to take risks in learning

  
  

For a child with dyslexia who may feel like they’re constantly “getting things wrong,” this kind of support can be a game-changer.

Why Emotional Support Should Sit Alongside Academic Support

For many dyslexic and SEN learners, emotional barriers are just as real as academic ones. A whole-child approach recognises that therapeutic support is not a luxury, it’s a necessary part of helping children flourish.

At Flourish Dyslexia, we understand that learning happens best when a child feels safe, confident, and connected. That’s why we believe therapeutic interventions like Drawing and Talking should be offered alongside assessments and academic support.

Could My Child Benefit from Drawing and Talking?

If your child:

• Shows signs of anxiety, withdrawal, or low self-esteem

• Avoids schoolwork or talks negatively about their abilities

• Has experienced change, trauma, or loss

• Finds it hard to talk about their feelings…Drawing and Talking could be a gentle, effective support.

Final Thoughts: Supporting the Whole Child

Dyslexia and other learning needs don’t just affect spelling and reading—they touch every part of a child’s life. By combining learning assessments with emotional support, we can help children feel understood, empowered, and ready to move forward.

If you’d like to find out more about how Drawing and Talking could help your child, or how we integrate emotional wellbeing into our assessments at Flourish Dyslexia, please get in touch. We’re here to help your child flourish, emotionally, academically, and beyond.