We all know how important reading is; equally important is
the next step along the
literacy pathway- writing. Writing requires that we
synthesize our thoughts, and then express them, coherently, in text. For
kids with learning disabilities, this can present a unique challenge. Some
children have fine motor issues that make the physical act of handwriting
difficult, which then acts as a barrier to developing good written
expression. And interestingly enough, the answer to these problems isn't
always as simple as teaching kids keyboarding or how to use programs like Dragon
Naturally Speaking (Although these skills can help struggling writers
immensely).
Other children may be overwhelmed with keeping their ideas
straight long enough to express them on paper- the open-ended question that
asks "Write whatever you want" seems to siphon any idea right out of their head.
And for others, problems with organization or impulsivity can keep them from
expressing themselves in an orderly, coherent way.
On this page, you'll find links to resources that address
both the physical act of handwriting, as well as material about the writing
process as a whole. If your child struggles with writing, one way to start is by listening to my podcast
with Dr. Steve Graham from VanderbiltUniversity, one of the foremost
experts on the writing process. This will give you a good overview on why
writing and handwriting are so important, and then you can drill down into the
specific issues many kids have with writing.
Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to check
out the blog
and leave us your feedback on how these new resources are working for you.
Write On Handwriting
-website- computer based handwriting instruction primarily aimed at
educators
but can be used at home as well. Program developed by Amy Ford Hebert
(interviewed
on the LD Podcast)
General:
The National Writing Project, a
professional development network that serves teachers of writing at all grade
levels, primary through university, and in all subjects. The mission of the NWP is to improve student achievement by improving
the teaching of writing and improving learning in the nation’s schools.
Alphasmart -
portable keyboard; uses Palm operating system; often deals available on units
on ebay.
Dragon Naturally Speaking - (PC Only) computer program that allows
you to speak sentences and computer will automatically transcribe your words
into writing/word processing document.
Pocketful of Therapy -
Great online website/store for occupation therapy/physical therapy tools,
including many geared towards writing. Includes seat cushions,
slantboards, scissor skills packets, pencil grips of every variety, ferby and
triangle pencils, papers, paper with raised lines, magnadoodles, activities, Handwriting
without tears, and write on handwriting materials as well.
Podcasts:
Jan Olsen- Developer of Handwriting Without Tears Shows #58 & 59
About Jan:
In 1977, Jan Olsen
set out on a mission to help her son. Responding to John’s tears
over handwriting in first grade, Jan used her occupational therapy training
and background to
develop strategies to facilitate his handwriting. John’s teacher noticed his
progress and asked Jan to
help other students in the class. Soon Jan became known in the area as the
tutoring solution for
handwriting, and her ideas became the basis for the first therapists’ guide,
Handwriting Without Tears®.
Thirty years later, the HWT® product line has grown to include
workbooks and
teachers’ guides from preschool through fifth grade: hands-on
materials, music, assessments,
and more than 500 annual workshops to train educators throughout
the world in the HWT
teaching methods.
Steve Graham - Shows #75 &
76
Steve Graham's Information:
Steve Graham is the Currey Ingram Professor of Special Education and
Literacy, a chair
he shares with Karen R. Harris. His research interests include learning
disabilities, writing
instruction and writing development, and the development of
self-regulation. Graham is
the editor of Exceptional Children and the former editor of Contemporary Educational
Psychology. He is the co-author of the Handbook
of Writing Research, Handbook of
Learning Disabilities, Writing Better, and Making the Writing Process Work. He received
the Ed.D. in special education from the University
of Kansas.
In 2001, Graham was elected
a fellow of the InternationalAcademy
for Research in Learning Disabilities. He is the recipient of
career research awards from the Council for Exceptional Children and Special
Education Research
Interest Group in the American Educational Research Association.
Amy Ford Hebert- Developer of the Write On Handwriting software.
About Amy:
Amy Ford has more than 10
years experience working with children with motor skill delays.
Her specialty is the fine
motor skill of handwriting. Amy has developed a multi-sensory approach to
teaching
handwriting so all children
can learn to write fluently and legibly.