My son was recently diagnosed with a written expression disorder. This is a disability where a child's writing is below normal expectations. Signs of a written expressive disorder include:
- problems with spelling
- difficulty in sentence formation
- print that is large and/or difficult to read
- awkward pencil grip
- avoidance or refusal to complete writing task
- trouble with conventions
- lack of writing endurance
- writing is painful
Due to the difficulties with writing, I asked for some modifications and support. The school gave my son extended time and access to a computer for writing assignments, but said he wasn't low enough to receive occupational therapy services for writing. They also stressed that handwriting is not an important skill these days with the use of technology. They assured me that this skill (even though graded on in school) was not necessary with the access people now have to technology. With technology, it will spell check and even write for you as you speak into a microphone. I was blown away by this response. I realize my child will have access to technology, but is it that bad that I want my child to learn how to write with a pencil and paper?
It is so frustrating. We moved a couple years ago and my son lost his school OT services--the new school district is nearly impossible to get OT at. His teachers have mentioned that his handwriting is hurting his grades because they can't read it but the school OT says it is not bad enough for help :\ luckily we've been able to get OT services outside of school and it has been helping. He also has a writing learning disability so it is very difficult for him to transfer thought to paper and the poor handwriting (gets worse the more he writes as his hands give out) makes it worse. He is very articulate when he verbally gives his answers so one of his IEP accommodations is to dictate answers to his teachers so that helps but they aren't ready to approve assistive technology so he can do it himself.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your frustrations! I have found that is it nearly impossible to get OT services in school! Private therapy is too expensive for us now that we moved to another state. Here they want $200 an hour and insurance isn’t much help. I like the accommodation your child is getting. I am going to see if that would help us too! Thanks for the idea.
DeleteDoes your son like lego or modeling clay? One thing his OTs encourage is play with small items to improve hand strength. Playdough is a bit too "soft" but modeling play is a bit firmer and can provide more resistance. Therapy putty is great for this stuff but its sooo hard to clean up if they get it on clothes :|. Another trick to building up hand strength is to get a tennis ball and cut a slit in it--squeeze it on either side of the slit to make the slit open and it works the muscles. They decorated the tennis ball with googly eyes and a tongue so it was a face with the slit as the mouth :p Different sizes of slits create different levels of resistance. Its sturdier than those exercise balls you squeeze (my son pops them)
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