Bright boy who struggles with writing

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have a recommendation for handwriting improvement classes like the camp previously mentioned? My DC needs help in this area too. I never knew it was so important!

[Anonymous]

Saw this article today:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/29/AR2009092903479.html?hpid=sec-education

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he know how to type? If it were me, I'd talk with this year's teacher to see if typing his work is an option. Someone with more experience might also be able to suggest whether an IEP (individualized education plan) would be a relevant option.


Typing is certainly a requirement in later grades, so at the very least know that his handwriting needn't hold him back forever. Hey, maybe he's destined to be a doctor, given their reputation for illegible handwriting!

Agree with this, if the school will do it. Your son sounds like my sister. To this day, her handwriting is atrocious. When I want to imitate it, I write with my non-dominant hand. She is very bright but has some learning disabilities - the handwriting, which turned out to be an issue with motor control that she was never able to correct; complete inability to spell; and transposing numbers in math. My parents got her tutors galore, but nothing helped. She started typing her assignments in fifth grade, and by eighth grade was using a laptop in class. Her grades and self-confidence soared, she went on to an Ivy college, etc etc - she has done very well by all the typical markers. But she still can't write, spell, or do simple arithmetic without counting on her hands!

Maybe your son can learn to write better. But if not, get him some sort of accomodation so it doesn't hold him back.

[Anonymous]

My child, now a 7th grader, has these issues. he did a lot of OT, and that sort of helped. But handwriting is extraordinarily complex - see Mel Levine The Myth of Laziness.

We found that keyboarding is the main solution, and his schools since 2nd grade have supported it. He learned to type by going to typing camp at Mater Dei for an intensive course in the summer, and then with games -- e.g.,TyperShark, free on the internet. He now is very good at keyboarding. He does not have an IEP. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

handwriting without tears is a great program. learning the keyboard ASAP will help too.