IVANA LESSNER LISTIAKOVA, PhD.
Social Skills Training
Handwriting Support (OT)
Readable, neat and fast handwriting is an important skill for students at primary and secondary schools. Their academic achievements are often assessed through written exams. Not having to think about "how" to write but rather focusing on "what" to write is a huge advantage of children without difficulties. Occupational therapy offers excercices, games and other activities that support gross and fine motor skills, orientation in space and on paper, letter recognition and production. Sessions are provided in an atmosphere of play, so that children experience a feeling of success. Their competence and self-esteem are encouraged.
When children come to a new environment, change schools or are in general less socially engaged, either because of their personality or development specifics such as autism spectrum disorders, they might need extra help in learning to interact with other children and adults in formal and informal situations. Social Skills Training strengthens their self-confidence, promotes expression and interaction. Children learn to take on new roles in problem solving situations. The programme promotes multicultural communication.
We are animals but we tend to forget how important senses are for our lives. Many disorders are connected with unbalanced sensory functioning. People on the autism spectrum might be very sensitive to sounds, or touch. Students with dyslexia have difficulties in visual discrimination. And because of lack of physical activities and intimacy, many people are quite disconnected from their body awareness. Sensory integration therapy focuses on stimuli coming together in a meaningful way to help us feel more complete and function better in everyday tasks.
Discovering your learning style can be the biggest step towards success in learning a foreign language. It is even more important for students with learning disorders such as dyslexia or dysgraphia. Regular textbooks with fill-in excercises might be challenging. Learn through movement, pictures, games and every-day situations and find your connection with the language.
Counselling in Sensory Integration
English for Students with Learning Disorders
Therapies, learning and developmental support
As a therapeutic pedagogue, researcher and teacher I offer services for children and families including learning support for children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, children on the autism spectrum, children with adaptation difficulties coming from different cultural and language backgrounds.
