The Handwriting Clinic

Assistive Technology/Therapy

Assistive technology is for students who might have the following:

• A physical disability where it is expected that handwriting is NOT going to be a functional outcome before the student needs to be using handwriting for writing literacy
• A diagnosis of dysgraphia, or impaired handwriting even after occupational therapy intervention, where using an assistive device would result in increased legibility of assignments or would be faster than impaired handwriting.
• Poor spellers, or students with learning disabilities, where editing handwritten work results in numerous erasures, and the assignment is unreadable or not up to the students academic level.

Modifications and Technology that might be recommended: Portable keyboards (many different types), graph paper for math, software for math, phonetic spell checking programs, word prediction software, alternative input devices such as infrared sensors or switch access, alternative typing keyboards, reduced sized keyboards, etc..
What diagnosis might constitute a need for assistive technology? Arthrogryposis, juvenile arthritis, muscular dystrophy, ADHD, learning disabilities

If my child has occupational Therapy in the school system - why consider private therapy?
Many children would benefit from private therapy in addition to school based, educational therapy. Additionally, many children cannot qualify for services within the school system unless the student qualifies for special education services. At The Handwriting Clinic, the foremost goal is to augment or work towards the goals that your school based therapist recommends. The Handwriting Clinic can provide intervention so that a student can progress at a much quicker rate. It is also helpful to involve the parents in a home program. In a school system, occupational therapists must integrate therapy within the educational setting, and often the teacher carries out the intervention. This is appropriate for many students and occupational therapy IS a vital related service to the school. In the school setting, goals are set for a year. At The Handwriting Clinic, goals and objectives are set for weeks or months.