by Sally London, Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Despite the increased use of technology, handwriting remains very important for the success of each student. Some children have difficulty with transferring their thoughts to paper and exhibit problems with letter/number formation as well. This is usually referred to as Dygraphia. Most children with writing difficulties demonstrate problems with letter/numbers formation and sometimes with reversals. Reversals most often are found with letters/numbers “b,” “d,” “p,” “q,” “3,” and “9.” Formation of letters from bottom to top instead of top to bottom is often noted. This has to do more with how the student is taught to write his/her letter/numbers. Segmentation of letters and starting letters from right to left are sometimes observed. Children who have problems with handwriting are shown to produce less written work and dislike the task of handwriting due to frustration.
The way that a child holds his/her writing tools is vital to success with letter/number formation. In the past the use of a dynamic or mature tripod was considered to be the standard. This is no longer true as it is recognized that children often hold their writing utensils with other functional grasps. Obviously some grasps are more functional than others such as a thumb wrap.
There are various options to making handwriting less of a chore and provide success for children. The use of different pencil grips for assistance with correctly holding writing tools, spacers for placing appropriate space between words, and highlighted paper to assist with the placement of letter/numbers have proven helpful for the production of written work. However, an Occupational Therapist can be instrumental in the instruction of letter/number formation as well as with determining what adaptive options will provide the child with the ways to be more successful with written work and volume.
Some sources for pencil grips, adaptive paper, and spacers are listed below.
www.Achievement-Products.com
www.Abilitations.com
www.TherapyShoppe.com
www.ReallyGoodStuff.com
If you are concerned about your child's handwriting or learning, contact us at (703) 327-0335 to setup an appointment with our pediatric occupational therapists.
Despite the increased use of technology, handwriting remains very important for the success of each student. Some children have difficulty with transferring their thoughts to paper and exhibit problems with letter/number formation as well. This is usually referred to as Dygraphia. Most children with writing difficulties demonstrate problems with letter/numbers formation and sometimes with reversals. Reversals most often are found with letters/numbers “b,” “d,” “p,” “q,” “3,” and “9.” Formation of letters from bottom to top instead of top to bottom is often noted. This has to do more with how the student is taught to write his/her letter/numbers. Segmentation of letters and starting letters from right to left are sometimes observed. Children who have problems with handwriting are shown to produce less written work and dislike the task of handwriting due to frustration.
The way that a child holds his/her writing tools is vital to success with letter/number formation. In the past the use of a dynamic or mature tripod was considered to be the standard. This is no longer true as it is recognized that children often hold their writing utensils with other functional grasps. Obviously some grasps are more functional than others such as a thumb wrap.
There are various options to making handwriting less of a chore and provide success for children. The use of different pencil grips for assistance with correctly holding writing tools, spacers for placing appropriate space between words, and highlighted paper to assist with the placement of letter/numbers have proven helpful for the production of written work. However, an Occupational Therapist can be instrumental in the instruction of letter/number formation as well as with determining what adaptive options will provide the child with the ways to be more successful with written work and volume.
Some sources for pencil grips, adaptive paper, and spacers are listed below.
www.Achievement-Products.com
www.Abilitations.com
www.TherapyShoppe.com
www.ReallyGoodStuff.com
If you are concerned about your child's handwriting or learning, contact us at (703) 327-0335 to setup an appointment with our pediatric occupational therapists.
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