Common Handwriting Problems and Solutions

The optimal pencil grasp is the "tripod grasp". This is when the pencil is supported by the thumb, index and middle finger. The ring and little finger are bent and rest comfortably on the table. You only have to change your child's pencil grip if it gets in the way of writing or causes pain. To fix a poor pencil grasp try an "adaptive grip" for a short time each day. This will help your child get used to the feel of a proper grasp. A smaller pencil or a fat pencil may be more comfortable for some children.

Problem grasps and how to fix them:

• The Washington Monument. This is when your child holds the pencil straight up in the air. It may be because your child has difficulty separating the two sides of his hand. There is a moving side of the hand- the thumb, index and middle finger. There is a stable side of the hand- the ring and pinky finger. You can use an adaptive grip device to help. You could also use 2 rubber bands. Loop one around your child's wrist and one around the pencil. The eraser end of the pencil should point towards your child's shoulder.
• Writing with open hand or fingers straight. Place a small sponge or a marble in the last two fingers. Have your child hold onto this while they write or cut.
• Wraps thumb around the pencil. The "thumb buddy" can help. It requires an adult to help put on.
• Child holds pencil too close or too far from the tip. Wrap a small rubber band around the area where the fingers should be placed. This will remind your child where to hold the pencil. When using a regular pencil, remind them to hold the pencil "where the paint ends".

Other problems:

• Child moves his/her arm when they write. Have your child lie on the floor to write. This puts weight on the arms and stabilizes them. Or have your child write on a vertical surface like a chalkboard or easel.
• Child does not space between words. Use a stamp pad and have your child stamp his fingerprint between each word. You can also put a sticker between the words.
• Child writes too hard. Have your child practice coloring a picture in different shades of grey. A mechanical pencil may help. You can also have your child place his paper on a piece of Styrofoam.
• Child writes too soft. Have your child practice coloring a picture dark.
• Letter and number reversal. Practice each number and letter one at a time.
• Poor posture. Children need to sit in their chair with their hips, knees and feet at 90 degree angles. If your child's feet do not touch the floor, try placing a box or stool under his feet to help with stability.
• Poor paper placement. For left handed children the left corner should be higher. For right handed children the right corner should be higher. A trick you can teach children is to place an arrow at the bottom corner of his paper. For a right handed child the arrow should be in the left bottom corner. For a left handed child, the arrow should be in the right bottom corner. You then teach them that the arrow should point to his belly button. This puts his paper in an optimal placement for writing.
• Child doesn't stabilize paper with other hand. Use a clipboard or a piece of tape to hold his paper in place. Try naming his helper hand and show it how it has other jobs to do.

Adapted from "Handwriting without Tears", Access: http://www.hwtears.com Adaptive devices: Therapy Shoppe 1-800-261-5590 or http://www.therapyshoppe.com