Calling all OT's! Here is The Research-Backed Way To Improve Messy Writing

[@claudinaroncoli149]

I love this! Thank you so much. I appreciate the link to the article. I've been wondering about how working on primitive reflex integration impacts handwriting skills. I wonder if this type of therapeutic technique impacts writing legibility? I'm not sure this research included that type of therapy. I mean, it couldn't hurt. I do know a lot of therapists who spend time on PRI with students who have handwriting goals. Would love to know your thoughts. Great to see how much your channel has grown!! I'm sure it will continue. :) I recommend your channel often.

[@laurendavid8199]

Dana, THANK YOU, I came out of my OT program being told the same thing that you talk about... that we have to work on all the component skills in order for handwriting to improve. My gut has been telling me for years this isn't working, because I can never get kids off my caseload. All the shaving cream and putty in the world is not going to help if they don't actually PRACTICE the skill!

[@TheOTGuide]

You are SO welcome!! And totally. I'm right there with you. So glad this article helped you out :)

[@KimlovesOT]

I can’t believe the timing of this video! Exactly what I needed today. Thank you so much! 🙏🏼💕

[@TheOTGuide]

Perfect! You are so very welcome!!

[@betterlearningbetterlife]

Backed by experience. I abandoned the component approach years ago because it was obvious it didn't help. Took some heat for it too but wasn't too. Nice to see the research finally caught up.

[@maryzenkungfu]

Thanks for sharing the article. I am glad to see that direct skill practice has been shown to be effective, as it is my #1 treatment strategy for learning letter forms and improving legibility. Keeping up the motivation takes creativity but overall, I see positive results. I love your content Dana!

[@TheOTGuide]

Thank you so much, Mary!

[@lisafisher8408]

Thanks so much for shearing this article and the fact that your thoughts and practices changed as you grew as a therapist! I too use a top down approach after spending many years working on underlying skills.

[@TheOTGuide]

aww, of course! Thank you so much for this super kind comment!

[@andreaferre6705]

Thank you so much for your videos, Dana! As a recent graduate and the only OT in the school I work in, thank you immensely for sharing your experience and what has worked for you. The same thing happened to me, I would work on the underlying handwriting skills and for months now have not seen any progress in legibility. This semester I have changed my approach to just preparatory methods for handwriting and then just actual handwriting practice. Thank you for making me feel like I’m not alone!!!

[@TheOTGuide]

Hey Andrea! Thank YOU for your super sweet comment! I'm so glad this video is helpful for you and makes you feel less alone. It's hard being a new school-based OT. If you ever have any other questions or just want to vent, feel free to email me at [e-mail]!

[@donnacaruso4607]

I love all your videos! Thank you so much for sharing, making it brief and talking in our "OT" language!

[@TheOTGuide]

aw I'm so glad you like them - thank you SO much for watching!!

[@BatelAronov]

Love this, so helpful. Thank you!

[@TheOTGuide]

You're so welcome! -Dana

[@jessicaadamsot]

Wow, thank you so much for the information! I haven't worked much in school based settings but I'm a children's book author trying to create things to go along with my books geared toward OT things so this information is very helpful! Thank you!

[@TheOTGuide]

You are so welcome. That's SO cool re: the children's books, I'm glad my video was helpful :)

[@miriamtheresa7248]

Thank you so much for sharing this article. Now I have evidence to back up what I have realized through my years of practice.

[@TheOTGuide]

You are welcome!! Thank you for watching!

[@BJ-ur2vj]

Makes a lot of sense basis of OT! Practice the actual skill to get better! Just have to try to make it enjoyable for them!

[@TheOTGuide]

Yep! So simple yet the most effective way to help!

[@kimtrout4552]

Teaching a specific skill although practicing it specifically is important of course, i like to point out similarities in another way to my approach. Let’s say you want to run a 5k. Yes, you will practice running but if you have underlying weakness and coordination issues that aren’t addressed, you will have issues running. So, basically I start sessions with gross motor warm up (large muscle groups and core work) then fine motor specific activities, then to the actual act of printing or coloring. This strategy has been effective. We also have to consider a student’s varying difficulties with written expression- spelling difficulties and oral language skills that also impact writing that are cognitive based and we can’t necessarily change, which then perhaps focus switches to assistive technology. Many faucets.

[@TheOTGuide]

Very good point and I completely agree with you!! I do something similar, I usually start with a 5-10 minute "underlying skills" activity - whether that's hand strengthening, fine motor coordination task, etc.

[@kellyfitzpatrick3743]

Dana, As always thank you for sharing! I find that because I only see students once and sometimes twice a week they do not seem to make a lot of progress. I use both Hand Writing Without Tears and Size Matters but without the schools supporting and implementing a curriculum the students are not exposed to “same language”. I often use a sensory motor approach to keep my students motivated. I am in MA and I wonder if other states no longer teach hand writing. Perhaps they believe in osmosis 😵‍💫

[@KimlovesOT]

I am in Oklahoma and it varies here from school to school whether they have a handwriting curriculum or not. I guess they think technology is going to outweigh writing 😞

[@TheOTGuide]

Hey Kelly!! I get what you mean. Many of my schools also don't have an official handwriting curriculum, so it can be very very tricky. My goal this year has been to introduce all 6 of my schools to a handwriting curriculum and do in-services for all the kinder teachers (I also blend Size Matters w/HWT). I made an inservice video for parents + teachers a while back - it's 12 minutes long and goes over everything I show to my team. Here's the link, maybe it will be useful for ya! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqWwfJmuiKiEl7c

[@TheOTGuide]

In terms of making progress, what I've found that REALLY helps is joining forces with the parents + teachers. So I'll do weekly OT for half an hour, then I'll give OT classwork so my students can gets reps in practicing the letters we reviewed in OT (they get a prize from my treasure chest if they do their classwork), and then often times I'll send home the HWT booklets so they practice at home. It's pretty intensive, but they make gains fast!

[@miriamtheresa7248]

@@TheOTGuide Great idea! Thanks for sharing…I’ll give it a try 😊

[@Christina-ol7mu]

This was a great video! Can you talk a bit about what handwriting strategies you use? I’m a new OT and am so lost at how to address handwriting.

[@TheOTGuide]

Hey Christina! I am so sorry for the delay, and yes. I have another video for you that outlines exactly how I fix the majority of my students' handwriting issues. Let me find the link for you

[@TheOTGuide]

Here's one- kzbin.info/www/bejne/anvLqJdqgNarlZo

[@TheOTGuide]

And here's the more comprehensive one- kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqWwfJmuiKiEl7c

[@relaxin2074]

Your videos are really helpful! I'm considering studying OT. How much of your day is spent at the computer/ writing reports versus interacting with patients? I currently have a sit down , computer oriented job and wanting to change into something more on my feet. Thank you so much in advance

[@TheOTGuide]

Hello & so sorry for the delay! I'm glad you find the videos helpful! In occupational therapy, the balance between computer work and patient interaction can vary based on your setting. While there is documentation and computer work involved, OT is hands-on and often involves working directly with patients. It offers a good balance for those seeking a more active role compared to desk-oriented jobs. I just made a video about whether OT is a good career, let me give you the link

[@TheOTGuide]

Here it is- kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqLYeKRtmrBpac0

[@laurahouston5252]

Can I ask you how much fine motor practice should a child be doing to help their handwriting. My son writes well but is slow. I've been given a list of fine motor activities to work on. So in terms of the amount of time in the day - how many minutes should we focus on this?

[@TheOTGuide]

Hey Laura! This is an awesome question. Ultimately, the best way to get your son to write faster is to have him practice writing! I'd say, do as much practice with writing as your son tolerates. If that's 5 minutes, great! If it's 20, go for it. He should already be getting daily practice with writing at school, so I wouldn't add too much more to his plate. Being a kid these days is demanding as it is! How old is he?

[@laurahouston5252]

@@TheOTGuide hi, he is 6 and is awaiting a dyspraxia assessment.

[@beckyrowe972]

Hi OT Guide. By any chance do you have any treatment advice and or ideas for OT with a high school student who has an IEP goal for budgeting? Thanks so much.

[@TheOTGuide]

Hey Becky! Thanks for reaching out! Does this student have an allowance? I'd have them budget for something they want to purchase, or budget for a trip they want to go on, etc. You could even have them download the budgeting app, Mint!

[@kristizietzhozeska1383]

How do I get the article?

[@TheOTGuide]

Hey! This is the article - "Interventions Within the Scope of Occupational Therapy to Improve Children’s Academic Participation: A Systematic Review" Lenin C. Grajo, Catherine Candler, Amanda Sarafian (I believe you have to buy it)

[@cammiemayfield9725]

It is an AJOT article, so if you are a member of AOTA, you can read for free