OT Approved Sticker Trick for Improving Left-Right Discrimination
By Jessica Jordan, MS. OTR/L
What Is the Sticker Trick?
One of my all-time favorite OT hacks for helping with left-right discrimination is what I call the “sticker trick.” It’s simple, fun, and incredibly effective, especially for children who need a little visual support when putting their shoes on the correct feet.
Why Do Some Kids Struggle With Left-Right Discrimination
Some children experience confusion or delay with directionality, which includes understanding left vs. right, body awareness, and spatial orientation. These skills are tied to visual perceptual development and proprioceptive feedback, and can impact daily routines, such as getting dressed or following movement directions.
How Does the Sticker Trick Work?
Choose a Favorite Sticker
Grab one of your child’s favorite stickers; it could be a character, animal, or even a construction vehicle! Cut the sticker in half and place one half inside the left shoe and one half inside the right shoe, near the arch.
Visual Cue for Shoe Placement
When the shoes are placed side by side correctly, the sticker forms a complete image. This creates a visual perceptual cue that helps the child align their shoes in the correct orientation, encouraging independence and reducing daily frustration.
Adaptations for Extra Support
If your child still needs a little more help, you can adapt the trick:
Place the sticker on the outside inner edge of the shoe so they can line them up visually from the top.
Use permanent markers to draw arrows pointing inward on each shoe.
Choose tactile stickers for kids who respond better to texture.
These simple adaptations help meet different sensory profiles while still reinforcing the same motor planning and directionality skills.
Why This Trick Works: The OT Benefits
This small trick supports much more than just getting shoes on the right feet. It promotes:
Independence with daily living skills
Improved left-right discrimination and directionality
Stronger visual spatial integration and form constancy
Sequencing skills for routines like getting dressed
Body awareness and motor planning
It supports growth mindset development, confidence, and self-worth
Need More Support With Dressing Skills or Visual Motor Development
At SUNRISE Therapies, we offer both online coaching sessions and in-person therapy to help families navigate developmental challenges such as left-right confusion and other visual-perceptual or motor planning difficulties. Whether you're looking for a quick consult or a full plan, we’d love to support you. Reach out today to get personalized support for your loved one.
We’d love to hear from you! Are there any other strategies or tricks you’ve used? Let us know! We can’t wait to hear!!
Helpful Links
Was this post helpful or did it spark your curiosity? If you’re looking for deeper support, we’ve created a course and curated resources to help families, caregivers, and professionals better understand the motor and regulation challenges many nonspeaking and apraxic autistic individuals experience.
Online Course for Parents, Caregivers & Professionals:
Foundations in Apraxic Autism — an online course exploring the often-missed motor side of autism. Learn how motor planning, nervous system regulation, and the brain-body connection impact communication and daily life, along with practical ways to support the autistic individual in your life.
Explore Our Resource & Service Hub:
Explore our most trusted resources and favorite tools, or discover ongoing support options for families and professionals navigating autism, apraxia, and motor planning differences.
You might also like…
