Dysgraphia – Improve Your Handwriting

Dysgraphia – Improve Your Handwriting

There are over 25 muscles in the hand and fingers, so you can see why it is essential to have strong muscles, leading to good handwriting and drawing.

You will find lots of helpful information and excellent aids and equipment to help people with dysgraphia and handwriting issues below.

There are so many ways you help a student with dysgraphia/handwriting problems.  If you know the tools available to you, you will be able to help them very quickly.  The problem is many people do not understand how they should write correctly.  The ideas below should help tremendously with handwriting.

These are all tried and tested techniques; why not give them a go?

How to Hold a Pencil – The Tripod Grip

The ‘Tripod Grip’ is used internationally and is one of the easiest ways to hold a pencil to have full movement for writing and drawing. Furthermore, this grip can also be used by right and left-handed people.

We have all seen some weird and wonderful positions with children holding pencils, but it will work wonders if you use this simple one!

Pencil Grips

If you use a ‘pencil grip’, you cannot fail to hold a pencil correctly. Some pencil grips are plain, others are more decorative, like an ‘owl’, ‘dinosaur’ etc.

One of my grandchildren, who has a problem with handwriting, is just seven and has only recently been given a ‘pencil grip’ to help him with his handwriting. Guess what? The ‘pencil grip’ keeps ‘disappearing’ or gets ‘broken’! It is ridiculous to expect a child of that age to start using something that most of his classmates are not. It makes them stand out, and he is embarrassed.

Why not get them all to use pencil grips when they start school? That would probably sort out a lot of minor problems at the start?

Size of Pencil

Is the student using the correct size pen or pencil? If they are very young, cut a pencil in half – this will save money as well.

Paper

Place your forearms on the desk. If you are right-handed, they should place their left hand on the paper to hold it still. The student should turn the paper slightly to the left.

Writing Slope 

Writing slopes – These come in different materials, enabling students to write at the recommended angle of 20 degrees. These sturdy slopes usually have a rubber grip to prevent slipping.

Sitting in the Correct Position

Many people wouldn’t even think about a ‘correct sitting position’ for handwriting. But this is important; the chair should have a straight back and be the correct height so the student can place both feet on the floor.

Wedge Posture Aid

This wedge posture aid helps balance, encourages proper sitting and correct posture while aiding concentration.

There are small bumps on the top of it.  Underneath it is smooth; this appears to provide sensory feedback, helping children remain focused longer. It is particularly beneficial for those with poor body awareness and low muscle tone.

You can find these useful aids in the Dysgraphia Aids and Equipment Section.