Wednesday, May 2, 2012

How Can Your Autistic Child Improve With Handwriting?

Children with autism may find it difficult to focus, concentrate on teaching method's or learning new skills. One of the difficulties for many individuals with autism, is their handwriting. How can he or she improve their handwriting?
I have experienced by watching autistic children in the classroom, especially in our traditional classrooms, most of the students who have autism, display a difficult time with handwriting, how to relate to it or what to do with it.
The length of keeping your autistic child to stay focused, capture new approaches or new techniques, is sometimes a challenge for children to learn and improve with their handwriting.
In addition, the teacher, other students who have their attention on learning and going forward with the next step, involved in making progress, can be hindered.
Handwriting for autistic children may make a difference by using the correct tools, imagination, techniques and knowing what the individual is capable of doing and not doing. For example:
* Use a wide pencil for a better grip.
* A larger tool for writing, such as, a crayon, lumber pencil, darker lead in the pencil, colorful lead, etc.
* If desired, you may want to use a smaller writing tool, for a better grip for your child.
* Use larger paper to start with.
* Use a slant board for comfort.
Remember, handwriting is an imperative skill and is used for basic communication, worldwide.
Being able to write well encourages a child to, write articles, take notes, write essays, poems, reviews, book reports, summaries, prepare for lectures, etc.
To teach a child handwriting who has autism, a plan should be created for the entire class. This plan should include, being aware of various motor skills for each individual. This is extremely helpful to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each child.
If you, or your teacher know of certain activities that may strengthen the muscles in the fingers and hands, of the child who has autism, try to initiate those activities, so those areas become stronger. This is a great help for gaining confidence to improve handwriting. For example:
* Stringing beads.
* Playing the piano or typing.
* Finger painting.
* Playing with finger puppets.
* Squeezing a hand ball.
* Paint by numbers.
* Activities that involve weaving.
* Stringing yarn to make a picture.
* Connecting dots on paper to make a picture or form.
Improving handwriting skills in your autistic child, may require you to take notice of the grip, your child is using for a tool. Sometimes, children push down too hard, hold the writing tool too tight. This may cause it to break or become too wobbly and out of balance to write with.
Encourage your child to improve his or her handwriting, if he or she is having a difficult time. I have experienced, when teaching an autistic child something new, and it requires skill, be patient. Be creative. There will be positive results for your child and you.
Bonita Darula operates a web sight==> http://www.autismintawareness.com SIGN up to RECEIVE your FREE WEEKLY AUTISTIC NEWSLETTER on current TOPICS which will include updated links for you to review and learn from. Take action and learn how to improve handwriting for your autistic child.
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