How can an occupational therapist help my child with handwriting difficulties?

Occupational therapists can evaluate the underlying components that support a student’s handwriting, such as muscle strength, endurance, coordination, and motor control.

An occupational therapist can work on the individual issues your child is struggling with and support them in overcoming obstacles and developing proper posture, strengthening their muscles, and learning to form letters correctly. An OT, offers handwriting evaluations and testing to help determine why your child is struggling with handwriting, and what strategies can support their handwriting development.

What can an occupational therapist do:

• Demonstrate proper posture to supports the proper use of the arms, hands, head, and eyes.
• Measure the level of physical strength and endurance.
• Analyse fine motor control, such as the ability to hold a writing utensil.
• Determine visual and perceptual ability that influences a child’s ability to form letter and shapes using a writing utensil.
• Help develop and evaluate handwriting curriculums and collaborate with teachers on effective strategies.
• Suggest home activities that promote the development of skills needed in good handwriting.