Adaptive writing tools

Forum for parents of injured who are seeking information from other parents or people living with the injury. All welcome
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Mandie
Posts: 429
Joined: Tue May 21, 2002 4:46 pm

Adaptive writing tools

Post by Mandie »

Anyone have some sort of thing that helps our kids to hold their pencils/crayons better?
Sarah started kindergarten this year and I am worried about her handwriting!

Thanks in advance!
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brandonsmom
Posts: 1401
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:43 pm

Re: Adaptive writing tools

Post by brandonsmom »

We had the same problem with Brandon, she holds he holds his pencil properly, but he gets tired fast from holding the paper down with his affected arm. WE use a clipboard since 1st grade and this seems to help !!!Believe me I was worried about his writing, but now in fourh grade he has the best cursive in his class, when he uses his clipboard !!
GAYLE
Mandie
Posts: 429
Joined: Tue May 21, 2002 4:46 pm

Re: Adaptive writing tools

Post by Mandie »

Sarah writes with her affected arm. So holding the paper isn't the issue with her. I was thinking....maybe those gripper thingies will help...the triangle ones... hmmm

any other ideas?
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brandonsmom
Posts: 1401
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2004 4:43 pm

Re: Adaptive writing tools

Post by brandonsmom »

Mandie,
They do have special pencils at my son's school to teach them how to hold the pencil correctly. Or maybe those grip things would work expecialy if she cannot get a good grip because of her injury. I ave seen a whole bunch of different ones at Wal-Mart(My favorite store) this year!~!!

GAYLE
watsonn28
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:36 pm

Re: Adaptive writing tools

Post by watsonn28 »

Check on peterson-handwriting.com for a great collection of grippers. I order from them every year for my students. If your child has free choice, they are more likely to use it. Pick the variety pack... I still use the jumbo gripper myself.
Check out the handwriting program Handwriting Without Tears which is recommended by OTs. My students love it.
If the paper does move, check out a product called disen (I think that's how to spell it). It is a flat piece of plastic that has a sticky texture. It is reuseable.
Your school's OT should be able to hook you up or at least tell you where to get it.
:)Nancy Ann
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F-Litz
Posts: 970
Joined: Fri May 26, 2006 6:53 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI, LTBPI at age 6.5, Sensory Issues, CP, Diaphragm Weakness, Aspberger's
Location: Ambler, PA

Re: Adaptive writing tools

Post by F-Litz »

There are different issues and different grips and other tools to help with the different issues. I would suggest that you make an appointment with an OT who is a handwriting specialist to assess what the issues are and what specific tools to use.

We had to change Maia's dominant hand and it tooks years of handwriting therapy that I started with her when she was very young. But at age 3 or so, we had a fantastic OT who knew exactly what her issues were and we went through many different tools.... and as things progressed we changed tools....and it still continues on.
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