The Power of Drawing in Speech Therapy for Older Children in Phnom Penh

Speech therapy isn’t limited to flashcards and word drills—it can also be creative, calming, and expressive. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, we use art-based approaches like drawing to support communication goals for older children, particularly those with language delays, autism, or social communication challenges.

In the image above, a young student is focused on drawing while working with a therapist. This type of activity may seem simple, but it offers powerful opportunities to build expressive language, emotional vocabulary, and narrative skills in a relaxed, engaging environment.

Why Drawing Supports Language Development

For children who struggle with verbal communication, drawing offers a safe and non-threatening way to:

• Express ideas, thoughts, and feelings

• Expand vocabulary related to objects, colors, and actions

• Practice storytelling and sequencing

• Improve turn-taking and listening in shared conversations

• Develop descriptive language and comparative concepts

Drawing is especially useful for children who are visual thinkers or who process information better through images than words.

How OrbRom Center Uses Drawing in Therapy

Our therapists at OrbRom Center integrate art activities into therapy sessions based on the child’s developmental needs. We use drawing to:

• Prompt storytelling (“Tell me about your picture”)

• Teach emotional vocabulary (“How does the person feel in your drawing?”)

• Practice WH-questions (“Where is this? What’s happening?”)

• Support grammar by building sentences around the image

• Reduce anxiety during sessions and promote communication through a calm activity

This approach is especially helpful for children who are shy, reluctant to speak, or find language-based therapy overwhelming.

Ideal for Older Children and Teens

Drawing-based speech therapy is often recommended for children and teens who:

• Have difficulty expressing emotions

• Struggle with social interaction and perspective-taking

• Are on the autism spectrum

• Have a history of trauma or selective mutism

• Benefit from non-verbal processing tools

In many cases, we pair this with special needs intensive intervention for children who need multi-disciplinary support across speech, emotional, and behavioral development.

Encouraging Expression at Home

Parents can support this strategy at home by:

• Providing materials for free drawing

• Asking open-ended questions like “What’s happening here?”

• Praising effort, not perfection

• Using the drawing as a springboard for conversation

• Joining in and drawing together as a bonding activity

These moments turn everyday creativity into a therapy opportunity.

Why Phnom Penh Families Trust OrbRom Center

OrbRom Center is known for its flexible, child-centered approach to therapy. We offer:

• Trained therapists who blend creativity with structured intervention

• A sensory-friendly, low-pressure environment

• Individualized programs tailored to each child’s learning style

• Integrated services like speech therapy and occupational therapy

• A convenient central location (see on Google Maps)

Our goal is to help every child find their voice—whether through speech, drawing, or both.

Let Creativity Spark Communication

If your child finds it hard to express themselves with words, creative-based therapy may offer the key to unlock their communication skills.

Contact OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh to learn how drawing and expressive speech therapy can work together to help your child thrive.