Evidence-Based Practice: Handwriting Intervention

Handwriting Intervention Research

freedigitalphotos.net-punsayaporn

An occupational therapist is the professional to call when an individual is having trouble with handwriting!  Writing on the lines, letter formation, legibility, and spacing problems are all issues related to handwriting struggles.  When handwriting is difficult, this can lead to frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem, so it's important to seek help for this issue.

Here is one research study related to handwriting interventions and occupational therapy.  I will continue to add more article reviews!

Effectiveness of School-Based Occupational Therapy Intervention on Handwriting: 

A Comparative Study

Purpose: To examine the effect of school occupational therapy services on handwriting legibility

Methods: Improvements in handwriting legibility, speed, and in-hand manipulation skills in a group of students who received direct handwriting intervention OT services was compared to those of a control group who did not receive services.

Results: Handwriting legibility scores and in-hand manipulation skills in the treatment group improved significantly compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Direct occupational therapy services resulted in improvements with handwriting legibility and in-hand manipulation skills, but handwriting speed was not impacted by the intervention.

Case-Smith, J. (2002). Effectiveness of school-based occupational therapy intervention on handwriting: A comparative 

          study.  American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(1), 17-25.

Win a copy of the parenting book, Retro Baby!!!!

"Put down your smartphone and pick up this book. With plain-spoken, concise wisdom, Dr. Zachry provides vital, research-backed information for parents of young children. Creative, interactive play with other children and adults supports healthy brain development in ways today’s technology never will. "Retro Baby" provides parents fun, money-saving activities that will set their children up for lifelong success." 

"Retro Baby" is the perfect baby shower gift.  To purchase a copy on Amazon, click HERE.

To win a copy of "Retro Baby," all you have to do is like the "Retro Baby" Facebook Page by clicking HERE, and send me a message explaining why you'd like to win a copy and how to contact you.  The drawing will be in June.  Good luck!!!!

Coloring is Good for Development: Free Coloring Sheets!

 http://drannezachry.com/color-cupcake/

If your child enjoys coloring, that's a good thing!  Coloring is a great way to improve a number of different developmental skills.  Fine motor skills and dexterity are required to hold and manipulate a crayon.  If the child doesn't use her thumb and fingers to hold the crayon, break the crayon into small pieces.  Coloring on a vertical surface using a small piece of crayon promotes a tripod grasp and finger flexion and extension, which are desirable!

http://drannezachry.com/colorshapes/

Children can also learn about colors, shapes and other concepts when coloring.  It's also great for attention span!  For free coloring sheets, click on these links!

http://drannezachry.com/colorpup/

Click HERE for more free worksheets!

Therapeutic DIY Game: Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

Do you work with a child who loves baseball?  Here is an easy, DIY activity that will be motivating for him!  This activity addresses eye hand coordination, balance, and gross motor skills.  Add light weights to the child’s wrist to work on strengthening!

Materials needed: Trifold display board, scissors, markers, yarn, game pieces, Velcro, and plastic baseballs

How to Make the game:

1.     On the center section of display board, cut out 3 circles of different sizes.  Each circle needs to be assigned a number of points (if the child throws the ball into that circle).  Make sure all circles are large enough for the ball to fit through.

2.     On the left side of the display board, draw a baseball diamond with all 4 bases.  In between each base, draw lines in proportionate segments.  Each of the segments represents a score of 5 points.  This will form your score board.  Place Velcro pieces on each segment to later attach a game piece.

3.     On the right section of the display board, attach game pieces to the board by using Velcro.  The game pieces can be made out of felt or poster board.

4.     Use markers to design the trifold board to be baseball themed.

5.     Punch a hole in the board large enough to slide a piece of yarn through.  This is where you will store the yarn that the client stands behind while playing the game.

*Optional

      1. Make an additional score board on a piece of foam so that the child can play the game with other individuals.

      2. Attach yarn to the foam to form a handle.  The child can carry the score board over their shoulder during the game instead of using the score board located on the trifold.

 How to play the game:

1.     Set the game board on a flat surface appropriate to the child’s height.  The bottom of the board should line up to their waistline.

2.     Have the child stand behind a line (yarn) on the floor.

3.     Next, the child should attempt to throw a ball into one of the holes in the board.

4.     If the child scores, the therapist or child can move the game piece on the scoreboard to the correct Velcro strip- depending on the point value of the hole that the ball went through.

5.     Continue the game, alternating between all players, until someone reaches home plate.

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

DIY Fine Motor Activity Bag

Turn a basic brown paper bag into a fine motor activity bag that is portable, colorful and fun!

ITEMS NEEDED:

Tools: Scissors, single-hole punch, and a square-hole punch.

Materials: Brown paper bag, twine or yarn – 16 inches, 2 inch ribbon – 8 inches long, pipe cleaners – cut to 6 inches, hole reinforcers, and one shoelace.

Directions:

On the top of the bag (near the opening), use the single-hole punch to create 9 holes approximately 1 cm apart.

Thread the twine or yarn through the bottom left hole and tie a knot to prevent it from going through and to stay in place.

With the bag flat, and the bottom towards you, cut 2 1.5 inch notches on each side.

Cut a slit with the scissors on one side near one of the notches.

Thread the ribbon through the slit, and wrap it around the notches, forming a spool.

On the bottom aspect of the bottom of the bag, use the square hole punch to create 4 square holes approximately 1.5 cm apart.

Weave the pipe cleaners through the holes in an alternating pattern.

Punch a hole 3 inches down from the bottommost left hole and 2.5 inches right from the side of the bag.

Punch a hole 3 inches down from the bottommost right hole and 2.5 inches left from the side of the bag.

Punch 2 more holes 2 cm apart from the newly created hole on the left, do the same on the right side, then place hole reinforcers around each hole.

Thread the shoelace through the holes, mimicking the last 3 holes of a shoe, coming back to the front, and tie a basic shoelace knot.

Now any child is ready to practice shoe tying and lacing.  Have fun!!!

The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at
 The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.

Free Visual Perceptual Worksheets!!!

Kids use visual perceptual skills to understand what they see in the environment.  Visual perception is needed for writing, reading, and copying from the board.  There are many different ways to work on visual perceptual skills.  Visual perceptual worksheets can be fun way for kids to improve visual perception.  As a special thank you to my readers, I am providing these free visual perceptual worksheets! 

For free visual perceptual worksheets, click on the following links:

http://drannezachry.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Visual-Perception-Sheets_Shape.pdf

http://drannezachry.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/VP_DC.pdf

http://drannezachry.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Visual-Closure.pdf

http://drannezachry.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Arrow-Worksheet.pdf

Click HERE for more free worksheets!!!

Research Reveals that Gardening Improves Attention Span for Kids with ADHD!

A study from the University of Illinois revealed that green surroundings allow children with ADHD to better able concentrate, pay attention, and improve overall functioning. Of course, we’ve all know how important physical activity is, and planting/gardening is a true multi-sensory experience!

Soda Bottle Planter: A Therapeutic Activity

Materials:        Plastic soda bottle                   Elmer’s Glue

                        Scissors                                   Paintbrush

                        Paint (acrylic)                          Sharpie

                        Potting Soil                             Picture(s)

                        Plant                                        Large spoon or spade

                        Ruler

Instructions:

1.     Remove plastic label from bottle with scissors.

2.     Rinse empty soda bottle with soap and water and allow to dry.

3.     Measure about 4-5 inches from the bottom of the bottle all the way around and make a line with the Sharpie.

4.     Use scissors to poke a hole into the bottle on the line you just made.

5.     Cut on line to remove the top of the bottle.

6.     Use scissors to poke several holes in the bottom of the bottle to allow water drainage.

7.     Use paintbrush and paint color of your choice and allow to dry.

8.     Apply glue to back of picture(s) and adhere to side of bottle.

9.     Scoop soil into bottle, leaving about 1 inch from the top.

10.  Dig a small hole in soil and insert plant.

11.  Pack soil and add additional soil as necessary.

12.  Place in a sunny spot and enjoy! (and remember to water when needed, per instructions!) 

Optional Twists:

·    Use scissors with decorative edges to create a pattern at the top of the bottle or around pictures

·    Use top of bottle as a funnel for scooping the soil

·    Paint a cheap dollar store plate to use as a saucer to catch drainage from watering or soil that leaks

·    Use different sizes of plastic bottles to make smaller or larger planters

·    Plant seeds to watch them develop and grow

 The project above was completed by one of our Master's of Occupational Therapy students at 
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.