A child with cerebral palsy unlocks a book with keys representing phonological awareness and visual perception.

Unlocking Literacy: How Visual and Auditory Skills Shape Reading in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Samir D’Costa in Mind & Education August 2025 • 3 min read.

"A deep dive into the cognitive strengths and weaknesses that influence reading and spelling abilities in children with cerebral palsy, offering new insights for educators and parents."

Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor control and can impact various developmental areas, including literacy. While many children with CP may face challenges in reading and spelling, their cognitive profiles—particularly how they process visual and auditory information—play a significant role. Understanding these cognitive factors is crucial for tailoring effective educational strategies.

A recent study investigated the reading and spelling abilities of children with CP, focusing on the associations between phonological awareness (the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in language) and visual perception (how the brain interprets what the eyes see). The findings shed light on specific cognitive strengths and weaknesses that educators and parents can address to support literacy development.

This article explores the study's key findings, offering actionable insights and teaching approaches to benefit children with CP who struggle with reading and spelling. By understanding the interplay between language, visual skills, and auditory processing, we can unlock new pathways to literacy for these children.

The Cognitive Puzzle: Decoding Reading Challenges in Cerebral Palsy

A child with cerebral palsy unlocks a book with keys representing phonological awareness and visual perception.

The study involved fifteen children with CP, aged 6 to 11, assessing their reading, spelling, language skills, non-verbal reasoning, phonological processing, and visual perception. The researchers sought to identify whether weaknesses in specific cognitive areas correlated with reading and spelling difficulties, despite the children having generally age-appropriate language skills.

The assessments revealed two distinct groups:

A group with significant difficulties in reading and spelling.
A group with reading and spelling skills within the age-appropriate range.

Interestingly, the study found no significant differences between the two groups in non-verbal reasoning, communication, or general language abilities. This suggests that these broader cognitive skills were not the primary factors differentiating the readers from the non-readers. However, key differences emerged when examining phonological processing and visual perception.

Empowering Literacy: Actionable Strategies for Educators and Parents

The study highlights the importance of a multifaceted approach to literacy instruction for children with CP. By targeting specific cognitive weaknesses, educators and parents can unlock new potential for reading and spelling success. Integrating visual and auditory training, alongside traditional phonics instruction, may be the key to helping these children reach their full literacy potential.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.12.001, Alternate LINK

Title: Delays In The Reading And Spelling Of Children With Cerebral Palsy: Associations With Phonological And Visual Processes

Subject: Clinical Psychology

Journal: Research in Developmental Disabilities

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Valerie Critten, David Messer, Kieron Sheehy

Published: 2019-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does Cerebral Palsy affect a child's ability to read and spell?

Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) may encounter challenges in reading and spelling due to motor control difficulties affecting various developmental areas. However, their cognitive strengths, particularly in visual and auditory information processing, significantly influence their literacy skills. Understanding these cognitive factors is crucial for developing effective educational strategies tailored to their unique needs. This is in addition to the impact CP has on motor skills.

What specific cognitive differences were found between children with Cerebral Palsy who struggled with reading and those who didn't?

The study revealed that differences in phonological processing, the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in language, and visual perception, how the brain interprets what the eyes see, were key factors distinguishing children with CP who struggled with reading and spelling from those who did not. Non-verbal reasoning, communication, and general language abilities were not primary differentiating factors.

What strategies can educators and parents use to help children with Cerebral Palsy improve their reading and spelling skills?

Educators and parents can employ a multifaceted approach to literacy instruction by targeting specific cognitive weaknesses. Integrating visual and auditory training alongside traditional phonics instruction can help children with CP reach their full literacy potential. This combined approach addresses both phonological awareness and visual perception challenges, empowering them to succeed in reading and spelling.

What is the role of phonological awareness and visual perception in reading for children with Cerebral Palsy?

Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds within language. This is crucial for decoding words and understanding the relationship between sounds and letters. Visual perception refers to how the brain interprets visual information received through the eyes. Strong visual perception skills are essential for recognizing letters, understanding spatial relationships on a page, and tracking words while reading.

What are the practical implications of understanding the link between visual and auditory skills and literacy in children with Cerebral Palsy?

The practical implications suggest the need for tailored teaching methods that address specific cognitive challenges in children with CP. By identifying and targeting weaknesses in phonological awareness and visual perception, educators can create individualized learning plans that unlock new pathways to literacy. This approach emphasizes the importance of integrating visual and auditory training to enhance traditional phonics instruction.