Motor Aspects of Writing
Students will disabilities usually have difficulty with writing. There are several motor aspects of writing defined by Wati.org:
- Visual perception: The ability to understand and interpret information taken in visually.
- Neuromuscular: The abilities that combine muscle strength and control of posture.
- Motor skills: The taking in of and interpretation of sensory information in order to make the appropriate motor response.
- Cognitive
- Social-Emotional
- Grip
The ability to write is a skill that a child needs throughout their school career. The first thing you must do is identify what problem your child is having with writing.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/4/8/20483886/5050847.jpg)
Low Tech Tools:
Pencil Grips are something that can help improve the writing process. The grip can be as simple as adding clay around the pencil or pencil grips are sold commercially here.
If your student is having trouble with staying in the lines when writing there is another then perhaps he/she would benefit from paper with raised lines.
If your student struggles with holding the paper in place perhaps he/she would benefit from using a clip board to hold the paper for them.
Pencil Grips are something that can help improve the writing process. The grip can be as simple as adding clay around the pencil or pencil grips are sold commercially here.
If your student is having trouble with staying in the lines when writing there is another then perhaps he/she would benefit from paper with raised lines.
If your student struggles with holding the paper in place perhaps he/she would benefit from using a clip board to hold the paper for them.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/4/8/20483886/6117437.jpg)
Mid Tech Tools:
A portable word processor would be useful for a student with limited motor skills. The Neo word processor is lightweight, wireless and easy to transport. This product also has printing capabilities. This item is available for purchase at Renlearn.com.
Also a label maker is useful so that a student can create words and sentences and put them where they need them (worksheets, exams, etc.). The item can be found here.
A portable word processor would be useful for a student with limited motor skills. The Neo word processor is lightweight, wireless and easy to transport. This product also has printing capabilities. This item is available for purchase at Renlearn.com.
Also a label maker is useful so that a student can create words and sentences and put them where they need them (worksheets, exams, etc.). The item can be found here.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/4/8/20483886/6086440.jpg)
High Tech Tools:
For students will limited motor capabilities using an alternative keyboard could be beneficial. The orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard requires a minimal range of motion but allows the user to navigate a computer just as easily as a user with regular motor skills.
Another good alternative is a computer with voice recognition software. Dragon is a software that allows the user to write using only their voice.
For students will limited motor capabilities using an alternative keyboard could be beneficial. The orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard requires a minimal range of motion but allows the user to navigate a computer just as easily as a user with regular motor skills.
Another good alternative is a computer with voice recognition software. Dragon is a software that allows the user to write using only their voice.
References:
Pencil Grips. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.therapro.com/Pencil-Grips-C4297.aspx?gclid=CLarzdPCgLgCFYWi4Aod3g0AKA
Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/Ch5-WritingMotorAspects.pdf
Label Makers & Printers at Office Depot. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.officedepot.com/a/browse/electronic-and-automatic-label-makers/N=5+3850/?cm_mmc=Google-_-NB_OfficeSupplies_LabelsMakers_E-_-Labels-_-label%20maker_31287963-VQ2-g-VQ6-7348678910-VQ15-1t2-VQ16-c
orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard | EnableMart.com. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.enablemart.com/computer-accessibility/keyboards/alternative-keyboards/orbitouch
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Legal. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.1st-dragon.com/category-s/91.htm
Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2008). Assistive technology in the classroom: Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Renaissance Learning - NEO 2. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.renlearn.com/neo2/default.aspx
Dragon Naturally Speaking Demonstration.flv [Video file]. (2013, June 25). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSHmPamLGQA
Pencil Grips. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.therapro.com/Pencil-Grips-C4297.aspx?gclid=CLarzdPCgLgCFYWi4Aod3g0AKA
Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/Ch5-WritingMotorAspects.pdf
Label Makers & Printers at Office Depot. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.officedepot.com/a/browse/electronic-and-automatic-label-makers/N=5+3850/?cm_mmc=Google-_-NB_OfficeSupplies_LabelsMakers_E-_-Labels-_-label%20maker_31287963-VQ2-g-VQ6-7348678910-VQ15-1t2-VQ16-c
orbiTouch Keyless Keyboard | EnableMart.com. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.enablemart.com/computer-accessibility/keyboards/alternative-keyboards/orbitouch
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Legal. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.1st-dragon.com/category-s/91.htm
Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2008). Assistive technology in the classroom: Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Renaissance Learning - NEO 2. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2013, from http://www.renlearn.com/neo2/default.aspx
Dragon Naturally Speaking Demonstration.flv [Video file]. (2013, June 25). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSHmPamLGQA