A Whole-Body Approach to Handwriting for Neurodiverse Learners

Handwriting Strategies Neurodiverse Learners

Discussed in this Episode: 

✅ Use spinning tops for finger strength. Kids with autism and ADHD often love spinning tops. They build the same finger coordination and scanning skills as handwriting, without the pressure of letter formation.

Introduce squeeze balls as fidgets with a purpose. Sue uses yellow smiley squeeze balls as fidget toys that also build hand strength for writing.

✅ Break crayons and pencils shorter. A shorter crayon or pencil naturally improves grip. A fatter grip (like Crayola wind-up pencils) also gives more control.

✅ Match dot-to-dots to special interests. Star Wars, Pokémon or My Little Ponies dot-to-dots teach scanning skills and keep engagement high.

✅ Place a popsicle stick between words. A simple icy pole stick gives students a visual anchor for word spacing, no lecture required.

✅ Pop a piece of paper under the arm. This engages the core during writing. If a student can’t hold the paper, they’re wobbling and tiring faster.

✅ Turn any desk into a standing desk. Slouching equals wobbly writing. A box placed on a desk creates an instant standing station.

✅ Sandwich writing with gross-motor breaks. Ten minutes of writing, ten wall pushups, five star jumps, then back to writing. Preventative breaks, not reactive ones.

✅ Scaffold with topic sentences. For students who freeze on a blank page, pre-written starters like “On Saturday I watched…” remove the cognitive load of deciding what to write.

✅ Teach mind mapping early, especially for ADHD. Visual planning means students aren’t burning working memory trying to remember their own ideas while also forming letters.

Learn Handwriting tips for Students with Autism Today!

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES BY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES BY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

The Kids’ Guide to Getting Your Words on Paper

The Kids' Guide to Getting Your Words on Paper | by Lauren Brukner | Does your hand ache when you write?

Packed with fun and simple ideas to help kids feel good about writing, this handwriting book with a difference helps children embed the strength and skills they need to get the most out of their written work, at home and school!

From different kinds of cushions, hand warm-ups, and cool eye scan exercises, and pencil grips to yoga balls in cardboard boxes, personalized activity binders, playdough, lego, and Velcro on pencils, this book is filled with fun stuff to help kids focus, get stronger, and be in control of their writing. The strategies in the book are accompanied by cartoon-style illustrations, and the author includes useful tips for parents and teachers as well as handy visual charts, a quiz to identify areas of most difficulty, and checklists for children to track their own progress.

Armed with the strategies and exercises in this book, kids will be well on their way to writing with greater ease, and the positive self-esteem that goes along with that. Suitable for children with writing difficulties aged approximately 7 to 12.

$38.95

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The Ultimate Guide to School and Home

The Ultimate Guide to School and Home | by Sue Larkey and Anna Tullemans | code: B96 | This book provides key strategies for all ages and stages. It offers over 500 practical strategies and timer savers for school and home from engaging disengaged students, what to do if you don't have a teacher assistant to considerations for setting up a classroom for teachers; and from developing friends, to moving house and choosing a school for families. It is the ultimate guide for teachers, parents and all professionals supporting children with autism spectrum disorder, including Aspergers, ADD, ADHD, ODD and other developmental delays.

$44.95

Out of stock

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RECOMMENDED COURSES

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: Knowledge to Improve Student Learning, Participation and Outcomes

Developing Early Childhood Approaches for Children with Additional Needs

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UNDERSTANDING AuDHD: Teaching & Supporting Students with Autism and ADHD Co-occurrence

✅ 2 Hours, 8 Lessons

✅ 6 Weeks to Complete 

✅ Certificate of Completion

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