Students
The classes typically have students with neuro-typical development who excel at most areas of school except for handwriting. Some of these students are gifted achievers who learned handwriting at a young age, and never learned correct sequencing or grasp. Many students excel in other subjects, but have difficulty learning handwriting, spacing, consistency of size and form, and writing within the lines. Often the handwriting problems extend into solving math problems, writing sentences or paragraphs, writing neatly on worksheets, and writing with a functional speed and legibility. Many of the students have learning disabilities, dysgraphia (difficulty in processing the visual input to functionally write or copy letters and numbers) or dyslexia.
Handwriting can be a frustrating experience for many of these students. The philosophy of the clinic is to teach handwriting and remedial strategies with multi-sensory techniques. Typically, most handwriting is learned through visually copying letters, which is less optimal for students with visual-motor difficulties. By learning how to write with large motor, multi-sensory techniques, the visual system is minimized during initial learning. Cognitive cues for letter formation are also taught. Classes at the clinic are FUN! Students learn letter formation by writing in the air, or on a table covered with shaving cream and paint. Zany writing topics are created by making popping play-doh, green jell-o aliens, or fizzing paint. Grasp , writing or speed-writing labs are set up to generalize skills. Students begin to gain confidence, and feel good about their handwriting. Almost all students have tremendous results and increased legibility, coordination and speed of handwriting. The Handwriting Clinic also has specialized programs for young children, and provides individual therapy for students with fine motor delays, severe sensory integrative needs, or autism.