My daughter Natalie will be 5 this week. She's been in Pre-K for two years now and has received OT for over a year. She can not write her first word. She has practiced for two years now trying to write her name and it's not much better than when she first started school. The OT said it was a 'weak tri-pod grasp' We have done all the exercises that they provided us with and used different size pencils, the L-Max from leapfrog, etc. and nothing works. She gets so frustrated! She doesn't hold her fingers in the correct place. Her OT said we should just get her to write first, then work on the technique. The pencil just flies across the paper.
Anyone else with this problem and if so, what are you doing for it? Any success?
Ryansmom mentioned her OT using a handwriting program with her son, it is called HAndwriting Without Tears. It is a wonderful program, developed by an OT for her clients. She uses a slate, framed in wood so the child can control their piece of chalk and basicly follows the edges of the frame to make a letter. The slate is about 5"x5", so there is a lot of room to make a letter and the child can experience success.
I am using it for my DS, he is almost 6 and just beginning to write. He has always been very slow and it took a lot of concentration for him to even write his name. Check out the website and I hope you and your DC experience success very soon :) http://www.hwtears.com/
My autistic son hated to be told how to do something, so he used the wrong grip on scissors until he discovered on his own that the traditional grip works better. I think he gets so focused on doing an activity that being told how to do it is like a mosquito buzzing in his ear.
My NT son is 5 and struggling with his pencil grip, too. Lots of kids -- autistic or not -- have these problems.
One thing that I've heard helps is using a slantboard. Writing at a slight angle might be more comfortable for your daughter.
could someone make a picture of this thing:
the "tripod" gripper (3 sided grip which slips onto the pencil)
to see how exactly looks like
thx
I personally think 5 is on the early side for any kind of hand writing expectations. I went through this with both my sons - 1 PDD-NOS and 1 typical. AJ had OT for a couple of years before he started to write but we believe that helping him climb a lot to develope his arm muscles really helped(both of them). Pencil grips and big fat pencils also helped. Handwriting Without Tears is a great program. We also used a slantboard and installed 2 white boards in our house. The angle is great for arm development and gives you plently of opportunities to practice all the time - drawing, numbers and letters. Both my boys became successful writers half way through kindergarten. Montessori materials have "sand paper letters" that are part of the hand writing process - we did not use them but I have heard they are helpful. Good-luck.
Mellyhab,
WELCOME TO THE BOARD!
My son has been receiving OT for 9 years now and he still has great difficulty with printing/writing. We have used ALL of the tools & trinkets & OT suggestions. He CAN print and acheive SOME cursive writing, but it's hardly legible. :0( It was recently brought to my attention that many children on the spectrum struggle with writing. It takes a GREAT deal of concentration, time and effort for many of them, therefore; it was suggested that we (his therapist & I) work on keyboarding skills with him. His OT & I are still going to continue with writing though because doing so in adulthood is necessary. My son was also recently approved for a laptop computer, the software, a printer, a "key" and a scanner....all paid for by the school board!!!!! I am not trying to discourage you with my son's OT story, and I would urge you to continue "plugging away" with the writing skills & all of the suggestions her OT has to offer (as well as some of the very knowlegable suggestions you will reveive here on the board). Some things to try: the "tripod" gripper (3 sided grip which slips onto the pencil, waxy strips (wax coated strips used to "stay in the lines), LOTS of dot to dot style copies of letter & word sheets for her to trace, lots of strings and beads (stringing beads of different sizes requires the same hand/eye coordination that writing does) and a laced shoe to practice tying shoes (also same hand/eye coordination required for writing).
I wish you much luck with this, it just requires much patience, perseverence and effort on EVERYONE's part.
Ryan is almost 6yr. and finally started writting his name in the last 6 months. Very Big but he is doing it
Don't worry she will get it.. from what I have heard alot of kids struggle with this.
I don't know if you tried this put we bought pencil grips. I found some pencil grips at a teaching store and they cost like 90c each. They really helped my son's grip and taught him where to put his fingers. They are made out of rubber and come in bright colors. My son really used them because he liked the feeling on his fingers. HIs sensory issues actually worked to our advantage on this one.My almost 5 year old cannot recognize any letters, let alone write any. I'm hoping that will come over the next year, especially when he gets into the program in September. His grip isn't good, cannot use scissors at all. He can draw somewhat of a face, but the print is very light.
Thank you so much everyone! I'll check into the handwriting without tears program.
You got some great advice:) Just wanted to add to get a magnadoodle to practice on, a big and a small one..then you can take it wherever you go for her to practice writing, drawing..getting used to holding a pencil. We got the grippers for Sarah too but she hated them.. I got her to writing figure "8"'s hand over hand as this was something that was done for me when I was a child and had horrible handwriting..it really teaches you to write more with a flow and not so rigid. We are both left handed too not sure if that's makes it harder? I also got a electronic device "I can write" with a LED window & keyboard of showing how to write individual letters in uppercase, lowercase (modern,cursive)**FYI the public schools here teach modern letters and not the "oldschool danelian(?) so find out what your school teaches..we had to unteach Sarah the old way (like the font I am typing) to modern that has a curvy tail on every letter~precurser to cursive. This was hard to do as change is not in her volcabulary;P Good luck..handwriting and drawing for Sarah has been the most improved skill she had this year but she has a teacher that is really on top of her about it and Sarah is a perfectionist:) Best of luck!
Shelley
Hello!Here's a picture of some triangular pencil/pen grips.
Grips come in all kinds of different textures and shapes and colors. My autistic son didn't like the feel of the triangular ones, and I didn't bother trying anything others. He doesn't have the best handwriting, but at home the biggest problem has been willingness to write (he wants schoolwork to be limited to school, not done at home). At school, his biggest problem is learning to write the conventional way -- within the lines, each letter the same size and facing the right direction (not mirror image), etc.
My boy want to hold pencil with full hand, lately started to accept to hold it by fingers when we mention it, but after few seconds holds it again his way... psycho told us that in this moment isn't important to force him to hold it properly, let him and dont warn him too much... he is more secure holding it that way....
before 2 weeks he started to write his first lines, before that he was unable to draw a line but was able to draw something like circle after which he starts to make a 'writing mess on paper'.... will try above advice about short pencils...
At our son's preschool we were told that they teach all of the kids in the school the Handwriting without tears pregram, except our son Tyler. I asked why and was told that Tyler's handwriting is better than the teachers.
He was spelling words with plastic letters at 2 and graduated to his ever present Magna Doodle, he calls it his, "Writing Board" at 3. We found that the Vee Tech toy whose name escapes me today was real beneficial in him learning to print, and to differenciate between upper and lower case letters.
Nene - my son also writes his letters bottom-up instead of top-down. A substitute teacher tried to correct that in his private lessons, and he looked sternly at her and said "I don't like to be instructed!"
Kristys - great activity list! Thanks!!
Surprisingly enough.. my ASD child has great handwriting among the best in her class; however my NT son...... YIKES!! He has hypermobile joint disorder with all the fine motor problems. We have tried the grips (didn't like them). He forms all of his letter backwards (bottom up instead of top down). He doesn't qualify for OT because he is functional; although he is in 3rd grade and eventually he won't be considered functional. I think that I might try handwriting without tears.. maybe I can get Grandma to work with him on it because he doesn't listen to me.. I'm Mom... You guys have great suggestions!
Aloha, Renee
I concur that handwriting is a typical problem with our kids.
Our school using handwriting without tears and currently C is falling below expectations in that area. He can write his first and last name, mommy, daddy and some other words, but struggles with pencil grasp, etc. similar to what others have said.
At parent teacher conferences last week C's teacher gave me a packet called "Activities to Improve Pre-Writing Skills." This was not specifically geared toward ASD kids, she said she gives it to everyone who had a child struggling with writing. Here are the activities listed.
Wheelbarrow walking: childs hands are on floor, pick up feed and walk child on his/her hands.
Pouring from small pitcher to specific level in clear glass. Increase size of pitcher as strength increases.
Rope turning / jump rope.
Slinky - shift back and forth with palm up.
Floor activities such as large mural painting, floor puzzles, coloring when lying on stomach on floor.
Clothespin pinching. Put letters on clothespins and spell words by clipping edge of shoe box. Use clothespin to do finger "push-ups" by using the pads of the thumb and index finger to do repititions.
Bead stringing / lacing with tip of finger against thumb.
Use tongs / tweezers to pick up blocks and small objects.
Screw / unscrew lids.
Put pennies in a piggy bank.
My son has a hard time as well. His handwriting is very messy and he stillHere's a link that explains about "garden writing" -- a simply strategy to teach kids to write correctly and neatly.
http://www.speechteach.co.uk/p_resource/gen_ed/gardenwriting .htm
We have a mirror-writer, here!
She is a lefty, forced into it by injury to her right ...
But FWIW, her lettering IS clear!
Ryan can write his name but his letters are huge. He knows all of his letters but can't spell any words besides his name. His grip is an issue also. He uses something kind of like this at school http://www.handithings.com/handiwriter.htm It helps him position the pencil. I made one at home with a big scrunchie and a small ponytail holder.
Hey Mizzou mom -- where are you???
I'm in Platte Co ...
I have started some kids with their finger in sand or shaving cream just to work on forming the letters. This is great with sensory input. From there I have had them hold large mixing spoons in the same material and gradually went to Thinner/smaller objects all the while watching the grip. It seems to work for even my son that has unofficial CP has learned to write his name. However in school because it does take alot of effort they are more concerned on him getting the work done and to not waste all his energy on the process so a computer has been provided there. I have not given up on writing since I think signing his name will be necessary in adulthood.It is now my "homework" to make sure he can do this.
[QUOTE=foxl]Hey Mizzou mom -- where are you???
I'm in Platte Co ...
[/QUOTE]Today I happened upon a good free online brochure about developing fine motor skills.
http://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/PDFs/121_FineMotorSkil ls.pdf
I don't know if you can get them ware you are, but we used scratch pads to strengthen Zack's grip,we get them at the dollar store,they are just small cardboard squares with a rainbow of colors , under a layer of black scratch able material, not unlike lotto scratch tickets,he realy liked them.
Linda
Great topic!
I was wondering about some kind of "weighted" crayon or marker?
Andrew has this problem and is very slowly improving. I think the Magnadoodle is a good idea...Andrew has improved with his.
Medically, handwriting difficulties are associated with many neurologic conditions.
Tweeker's Mom, your tip about stringing beads sounds great. It just occurred to me today that Light Brite would probably work for that purpose, too. You really have to hold the plastic pieces like a pencil to push them through the hole. I think I'm going to encourage my 5 year old to do Light Brite more often, and see if that helps him get rid of his fist-grip with a pencil.
Here's a picture of a Light-Brite in case some people aren't familiar with the toy:
bump
my boy is now able to write 10-15 vertical lines on A4 sheet of paper.
we were told that next step should be to learn to write horizontal lines, and then try to draw triangle?
ive3 , my son was never interested in writing lines, and didnt really even like to copy shapes. Letters hold much more interest for him, and he will practice and practice writing letters, so you may find that he has more interest in letters than shapes. I think that typically yes, the child moves from being able to copy a line to being able to copy a shape, but just because your child can't or won't form shapes, you shouldn't wait to introduce letters. His name is a great place to start.