Dyspraxia handwriting aids for special needs

Angie is a Pediatrician, Licensed Davis Facilitator, transformational speaker, and mother of three. Renaissance Mind is a Learning Facility where Dr. Angie uses both her Davis Facilitator License and medical expertise.

Others may be able to hold a standard pen or pencil but may have a great deal of difficulty using the pen or pencil to write. Ergonomic pens and pencils are designed to be easier for the child to hold and utilize.

They come in different weights and shapes. Heavy weighted pens can help children with coordination difficulties write. Fatter pens and pencils may be easier to grip.

Writing utensils with rubber grips are easier to hold on to. Some children may find large pens and pencils easier to hold and grip.

Other children may find small pens and pencils easier to hold and grip. Allow the child to experiment with various writing devices, so they can determine which one is most suitable for them.

Also have the child experiement with holding the writing utensils in different ways. For example, some children may have more success when holding a pen between the middle and forefingers. There is a wide variety of asstitive handwriting aids on the market.

The following sections list some of the popular models. The forefinger rests inside the "U" shape. The Pen Again shape requires less hand strength to use the pen. Less grip is needed to control the pen because the forefinger rests in the "U" shape and naturally holds the pen in place without requiring hand grip.

Pen Again is also coming out with a child size ergonomic pencil for smaller hands. Because the Pen Again has a much different shape and requires a different grip than a standard pen, it takes time to get used to writing with it.

With practice, the Pen Again can make writing easier. Instead of a "U" shape at the top, the Ring Pen has a circle that the forefinger goes inside. The pen is worn like a ring and requires no grip when writing.

It fits around the base of the hand and the forefinger. The part on the forefinger has a loop where a pen or a pencil is inserted. The Hand-Based Writer requires minimal grip and strength. Children that do not have the strength or coordination to hold onto a pen or pencil might benefit from this tool.

Since it is worn on the hand, the pen or pencil can not be accidentally dropped. The softness of the EZ Grip reduces hand pain when writing. Pen grip and writing coordination may be easier for some children using the EZ Grip due to increased diameter of the pen.

Other Ergonomic Writing Tools Electronic devices are a good alternative to ergonomic handwriting aids for children who do not have the strength or coordination to use pens and pencils. Some children have more success typing on a keypad such as one on a laptop computer.Interestingly, according to the Dyspraxia Foundation, some doctors blame undiagnosed dyspraxia for their illegible handwriting.

How can the child with dyspraxia succeed? If the keys to success for anyone are a determination to succeed and a supportive learning environment, he or she will bring the former. I worked in an independent special needs school for 7 years and currently work in private practice.

I specialise in assessing and treating children with sensory processing, concentration, coordination, postural and handwriting difficulties to help them achieve their full potential.

Dyspraxia UK offer a specialist occupational therapy service with high quality diagnostic assessments for children and adults in school, university and work.

Teaching materials, supplies and aids for schools. Educational support materials and resources for nursery, primary school and special needs classrooms.

Learning Equipment and childrens educational toys. UK. If your child has dysgraphia, these tools and apps can make writing easier. She may already use some of them at school, but it can help to have them at home, too.

She may already use some of them at school, but it can help to have them at home, too. Take Time Movement - exercises for parents, teachers and therapists of children with difficulties in speaking, reading, writing and spelling Mary Nash-Wortham and Jean Hunt The activities in this well-established, highly-regarded and widely-used book can assist with a wide range of conditions, including diagnoses of Dyspraxia/DCD, Dyslexia or.