Handwriting Tools & Adaptations
Handwriting is a critical skill that children develop throughout their school-age years. Occupational therapy clinicians have a variety of tools & adaptations for children who many struggle with handwriting skills.
Evaluation Tool of Children’s Handwriting (ETCH)
Key Features:
- Age: Grades 1-6
- Writing Form: Manuscript or Cursive
- Measures: legibility, speed, near & far point copying, dictation, sentence generation, pencil grasp & manipulation, hand preference, pressure
Includes:
- Reproducible score sheets and response booklets
- Quick reference sheets
- Wall charts
- Task sheets
- Scoring card
- Examiner’s Manual detailing test administration and scoring procedures for legibility
The Print Tool:
Key Features:
- Age: 6+
- Writing Form: Manuscript or Cursive
- Measures: Upper/lower-case letters, numbers, memory, orientation, placement, size, start, sequencing, word spacing
Includes:
- The Print Tool Guidebook
- Measuring Tool
- 3 sets of Student Sample Worksheets (30)
- Evaluation Scoresheets (10)
- Handwriting Remediation Plan Forms (10)
Size Matters:
Key Features:
- Age: K-3rd grade
- Consists of handwriting books and activities to promote the correct sizing and spacing of written letters.
- Can be used to assess handwriting skills as well
- Classifies different letters by size:
- ■ Level 1 – pink magnets
- ■ Level 2 – yellow magnets
- ■ Level 3 – blue magnets
Includes:
- Printable practice paper to learn the alphabet (print and cursive letter set)
- Handwriting books
- Master Guide Program Manual
- Activities that develop handwriting skills (encouraging tripod grasp, visual-motor integration; dice games; magnets; pathways; activity books)
- Posters for instruction
- Test sheet booklet
- Competency assessment
Handwriting Without Tears
Key Features:
- Ages: 3-11
- Focuses on skills required for handwriting:
- Memory
- Orientation
- Placement
- Sentence
- Word Skills
Includes:
- Wood pieces & mat
- Slate chalkboards with chalk & sponge
- Practicing booklets (by grade level)
- Printing Power
- Cursive Kickoff
- Building Writers
Adaptations for Handwriting:
Slant boards: Helps improve posture, visual ability, paper stability as well as body positioning
Spacers: This provides a visual to help students understand appropriate spacing in between letters & words
Grips: These help students grasp their pencil appropriate (tripod grasp), which can promote stability & legibility with writing
Different Utensils: Using different utensils including broken crayons, broken pencils mechanical pencils, and weighted pencils can improve stability & encourage appropriate grasp and pressure
Raised Lined Paper: Allows students to feel where the lines are. This promotes proper spacing & letter formation
Environmental adaptations:
- Sit students in front of the classroom/ in a quiet area (if at home) to decrease distractions
- Promote movement breaks from writing
- Ensure desk & chair height is appropriate
- Desk should be between the belly button and end sternum & students’ feet should be flat on the floor
