Our Story - Blog
Sunday Strategies 108
A pizza cutter led to Less Stress for Handwriting Lessons......
When I was a new teacher, I found myself in several schools and with many different skill levels of students. Not only that, but I had teachers that had school bought handwriting curriculums, sped teachers with adaptive curriculums and high schools with no handwriting curriculum. In fact, many of the middle schools had given up handwriting and moved on to typing and dictation. I kept hearing “they don’t even teach handwriting anymore”. But I did! Was I behind the times? Should I move on to just accommodations? I was leaning towards that with my older students until I met a high school teacher that worked on functional life skills: things like signing your name and filling out a job application and making a list. It was like a big “A-Ha!” went off in my head! This is what is needed!
As my love for helping students with functional handwriting began to grow, I found myself being overwhelmed...
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Sunday Strategies 108
Can an autistic child improve their handwriting skills?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Children with autism may have difficulty with handwriting due to the symptoms of the disorder.
Children with autism may have difficulty with fine motor skills, which can make it difficult for them to control the movement of their hands and fingers when writing. They may also have difficulty with hand-eye coordination, which can make it difficult for them to align their pencil or pen with the paper and stay within the lines. Additionally, children with autism may have difficulty with attention and focus, which can make it difficult for them to stay on task and complete writing assignments.
Children with autism may also have difficulty with processing and understanding language, which can make it difficult for them to understand the instructions and conventions of writing. They may also have difficulty with planning and organizing their thoughts, which can make it difficult for them to write coherent sentences and paragraphs.
However, it is possible for children with autism to improve their handwriting skills. An individualized approach that addresses the specific challenges of the child is important. Occupational therapy can be an effective way to help children with autism improve their handwriting. Occupational therapists can work with children to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, attention, and focus through a variety of activities and exercises. They may also teach children strategies for self-regulation, such as deep breathing or visualization techniques, to help them stay focused and calm during writing tasks.
It's also important to consider the child's interests and strengths, and to make the writing tasks relevant and motivating for them. Breaking down writing assignments into smaller tasks, providing extra time, and providing visual cues can be helpful.
It's also important to work closely with the child's teachers and other professionals to ensure that the strategies used at home are consistent with those used at school.
ADHD and fine motor handwriting...
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children with ADHD can have difficulty with handwriting due to the symptoms of the disorder.
Children with ADHD may have trouble with fine motor skills, which can make it difficult for them to control the movement of their hands and fingers when writing. They may also have difficulty with hand-eye coordination, which can make it difficult for them to align their pencil or pen with the paper and stay within the lines. Additionally, children with ADHD may have difficulty with attention and focus, which can make it difficult for them to stay on task and complete writing assignments.
Children with ADHD may also have difficulty with memory and organization, which can make it difficult for them to remember the proper letter formation, spacing, and alignment. They may also have trouble with planning and organizing their thoughts, which can make it difficult for them to write coherent sentences and paragraphs.
To help children with ADHD improve their handwriting, it's important to address the symptoms of the disorder through a combination of medication, behavioral therapy, and other interventions. Medications such as stimulants can help to improve attention and focus, while behavioral therapy can help children to develop strategies for staying on task, managing impulsivity and hyperactivity, and organizing their thoughts.
Occupational therapy can also be an effective way to help children with ADHD improve their handwriting. Occupational therapists can work with children to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, attention, and focus through a variety of activities and exercises. They may also teach children strategies for self-regulation, such as deep breathing or visualization techniques, to help them stay focused and calm during writing tasks.
It's also important to be mindful of the child's needs and adjust teaching methods, accommodations, and expectations accordingly. Breaking down writing assignments into smaller tasks, providing extra time, and providing visual cues can be helpful.
Does sensory regulation effect handwriting progress?
Sensory regulation refers to the process of organizing and interpreting sensory information from the environment, including information from the body, in order to make appropriate responses. Sensory regulation is important for handwriting progress because it affects a child's ability to focus, pay attention, and control their movements, which are all necessary for good handwriting.
Children with sensory regulation difficulties may have trouble with fine motor skills, which can make it difficult for them to control the movement of their hands and fingers when writing. They may also have difficulty with hand-eye coordination, which can make it difficult for them to align their pencil or pen with the paper and stay within the lines.
Additionally, children with sensory regulation difficulties may have difficulty with attention and focus, which can make it difficult for them to stay on task and complete writing assignments. They may also be easily distracted by the sensory input in the environment, which can make it difficult for them to concentrate on their writing.
To help children with sensory regulation difficulties improve their handwriting, it is important to address their underlying sensory regulation issues. This can include providing them with tools such as weighted pencils, fidget toys, or other sensory tools that can help them to focus and regulate their movements.
Occupational therapy can be an effective way to help children with sensory regulation difficulties improve their handwriting. Occupational therapists can work with children to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, attention, and focus through a variety of activities and exercises. They may also teach children strategies for self-regulation, such as deep breathing or visualization techniques, to help them stay focused and calm during writing tasks.
