1. Practice handwriting every day. Students need to practice different types of handwriting.  They can either print or trace letters and words with lines, dots or arrows.  Use school fonts to multiple create printables.

2. Allow keyboarding.  This will help increase flexibility with hands and body, adds a motivational component and lowers affective filter.

3. Dictation: Production is increased 9X vs. handwriting and 20X vs. keyboarding. Increase gradually dictation production.  Repeat up to 3 times words or sentences.

4. Allow extra time to complete written assignments. There should be no time constraints for dyslexic students.  Time is not a measure that applies in this case.

5. Use cursive. It is important to introduce students to cursive handwriting.  Find handwriting software that meets students’ needs.

6. Avoid critical evaluation of handwriting.  Be flexible when assessing dyslexic students’ handwriting abilities.

7. Do not ask students to write without purpose.  Every single handwriting activity needs directions, a goal and follow up.  Do not assign tasks just to fill in time. 

8. Give multiple choice, true/false, and fill in the blanks tests.  Find which assessment fits the student’s needs.  Try several and with different formats.

9. Gross motor skills need to be broken down into smaller tasks. Decrease level of difficulty when working motor skills when necessary.  Start with simple tasks and when the student is confident, progress into more complex activities.

Ramon Abajo, Handwriting Expert & Teacher of the Year

Downhill Publishing LLC

The following accommodations have proven to help dyslexic kids in handwriting:

Accommodation 1. Allow dyslexic students to dictate responses.  An adult can write down what the student says.

Accommodation 2. Help dyslexic students when they are taking notes.  A buddy can help them take notes.  They can compare what they have written and see similarities and differences.

Accommodation 3. Permit an outline or just a frame for dyslexic students to fill in the missing information when they are listening to stories.

Accommodation 4. Permit students to practice cursive handwriting with worksheets adjusted to their levels.  Use Fonts 4 Teachers to create lots of printables.

Accommodation 5. Use non carbon replica paper.  That way notes can be compared and shared with other students with learning disabilities.

Accomodation 6. Teach keyboarding and word processing skills, or suggest a software program to use at home.  Again, Fonts 4 Teachers is helping a lot of kids overcome handwriting problems.

Ramon Abajo, Handwriting Expert & Teacher of the Year

Downhill Publishing LLC

In 2008 Steven Graham, Karen Harris, and Connie Loynachan created a basic spelling vocabulary list intended to help teachers with the spelling words that should be taught to children per grade level.  They will help students with the handwriting.  Programs like Fonts 4 Teachers can help dyslexic kids learn to spell and write those words.

a

all

am

and

at

ball

be

bed

big

book

box

boy

but

came

can

car

cat

come

cow

These 19 words are part of a larger list of 96 spelling words that every child should know by the end of 1st grade.  Use Fonts 4 Teachers and you will see results soon.

Ramon Abajo, Handwriting Expert & Teacher of the Year

Downhill Publishing LLC

The following 5 modifications have proved to help dyslexic kids in handwriting:

1. Reduce the need to copy from a book or the board.  Provide photocopies of notes or material from handwriting programs.

2. Make adjustments in order t to accept modified homework that requires reduced amounts of writing.  Discuss the adjustments ahead of time with students and parents.

3. Substitute non-written, hands-on assignments and oral presentation for written assignments.

4. Enlarge the space for doing written work on math papers, tests and worksheets.

5. Stress the accuracy and quality of writing, not the volume.

Some schools and families are using Fonts 4 Teachers, an award winning software that helps students with disabilities improve handwriting fast.

Ramon Abajo, Handwriting Expert & Teachers of the Year.

Downhill Publishing LLC

Girl with dyslexia

There is still controversy about dyslexia.  Many definitions and descriptions have been proposed, but we will follow the International Dyslexia Association (2008a).  They define dyslexia as “a specific, learning disability that is neurobiological in origin.  It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.  These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often expressed in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.  Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth vocabulary and background knowledge” (adopted by the board of the International Dyslexia Association, November 2002, and the National Institutes of Health, 2002).

Technology has evolved greatly and is catching up with problems in the field.  Several educational programs have proved to make interesting progress with handwriting.  At Downhill Publishing LLC we are proud of the success of Fonts 4 Teachers.  Many schools have adopted this program with enthusiasm and the preliminary results are optimistic.  See for yourself if this educational software can help your kid develop handwriting skill fast!

Please LEAVE a comment with your thoughts.

Ramon Abajo

Downhill Publishing LLC