Fine motor skills

by paulette etcheberry
(deerfield beach, fl)

I have a five year old boy he has auditory processing disorder and sensory issues with fine motor/gross motors skills,he is having a hard time holding his pen while doing his homework and frankly I don't see any interest in trying harder. He's been going to an OT therapist, but I think I have a hard time trying to help him and tend to go crazy and make him try harder.Any ideas in how should I help my son to do his work without tears?



thank you
paul
Deerfield beach Fl



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starstarstarstarstar 		need suggestions, please
by: Anonymous

My daughter is now 11yrs and is having a hard time as her teachers cannot understand anything she writes. She fails all her subject and although she understand and is willing to explain to the teacher what she writes that is not done. She is committed to working harder and although she fails she is determined to improve. Therapist for her is almost none existent in my country. How can I get help for her any suggestion is welcomed
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starstarstarstarstar 		handwriting without tears
by: paulette etcheberry

Yes my son actually uses that method at school it is very good to know that is a good one. thanks for sharing it with me
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starstarstarstarstar 		handwriting without tears
by: Anonymous

As an early childhood educator I have used the program Handwriting without tears. Please ask the teacher if they have any knowledge of this program. It has helped many of my students learn to form letters without the frustration of focusing on how they hold the writing mechanism.
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starstarstarstarstar 		thank you all
by: Anonymous

Good afternoon,

Thank you two for opening my eyes quite a bit with your honest response. You are totally write when you say it doesn't matter how he holds his pen but that he is communicating and trying, he has a very good teacher and she is well aware of his situation. The issue is that when he is with me he doesn't make much an effort and that makes me angry! but I admit, my patience is not one of my virtues so I go nuts very easily. I am the one taking him to therapy three times a week and its a little bit exhausting. That's why I thank you for your comments and understanding because that makes me see, that we are in a community here and we can help each other just by putting our thoughts on paper.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Poor Handwriting
by: Anonymous

My son is in 4th grade and also has had problems learning how to hold a pencil and writing so you can read it. He's had OT since he was three and even now its difficult to read what he writes. He is getting better but thankfully the school focuses on how he can convey his thoughts without having to rely solely on his writing. My son's school bought a device that he types on. Also they sometimes have an aid write as he dictates. They are of the philosophy that the mechanics of writing is secondary to learning how to convey his thoughts and being successful. The school also lets me write his math homework for him because nobody could read his answers. He does all the work and I just transcribe for him. My husband also was focused on his poor writing skills but now understands that this is all part of SPD. Good luck!! :)
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starstarstarstarstar 		Fingers, Toes, Mouth or Nose it doesn't Matter how you hold your pencil
by: Anonymous

First, do yourself & him a favor, slow down, breathe. To stop the tears (for both of you), don't place any expectations on his hand writing, if his writing isn't good, talk with his teacher, if they can read it, go no further. Try different types of pencils (fat, skinny, short, mechanical, etc.) there are so many options nowadays & see what best fits for him to be a more comfortable grip & this will improve his hand writing over time.

I used to STRESS over HOW our daughter was holding her pencil because 2 teachers used to say she wasn't holding it correctly, then when she started 4th grade & we had our first parent/teacher conference, it went very well. When the teacher asked if I had questions, I asked, "how is she holding her pencil?" Well, I must have grown a third eye, because he was at a loss & then I explained. He said, "it doesn't matter if your child holds their pencil, it could be with their toes, teeth, or whatever, as long as I can read it, that's what matters & if I'm having trouble reading it, I will bring her up & ask her to explain it." Thank God for teachers like him.

So stop stressing, talk with the teacher & tell her YOUR expectations of her, instead of her expectations of your child.

God Bless.

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