Category Archives: Handwriting

Access comprehensive handwriting improvement strategies that include tools, games, guided programs, and expert tips to enhance letter formation, spacing, writing fluency, and legibility for learners of all ages and abilities.

Raised Line Paper… What Is It?

Assistive Technology, Handwriting, , ,

Sometimes called tactile paper, Raised Line Paper is used to help individuals stay between the lines when writing. The raised line paper has raised top and bottom lines to provide tactile, proprioceptive and visual feedback to the writer. There are a variety of types of paper to choose from!

Raised Line Learning Sheets

Do you have a beginner writer? The raised line learning sheets are a good place to start from! There are letters, numbers, alphabet coloring sheets and mazes! The tactile input helps the new learners understand where to keep their pencil and crayon marks! 

Raised Line Writing Paper

There are so many options to help more advanced writers be as successful as they can. There are different sized lines (narrow and wide) depending on the level of the writer. If you need more of a visual cue there is the option to have red and blue lines on your paper. Double the input for a higher accuracy when writing. If spacing or sizing is a problem there is boxed raised line paper to provide a space for every letter to fit in. Pro tip: If all this sounds great but you are not sure what will work best the assortment pack is very helpful!

Staged Raised Line Paper

There is a product line that is able to take a writer from beginning stages right through advanced writing. This is a six stage series of handwriting papers that begins with clearly defined writing spaces and perceptual cues that fade in successive stages as the student gains mastery. The thick, colorful dark blue baselines are raised, providing not only visual cues, but also tactile cues.  Pro Tip: Students advance at their own pace so having all the stages on hand is very helpful!

Stage One: For beginning writers. Clearly defined writing spaces.

Stage Two: Writing spaces are less defined as shading is partially removed.

Stage Three: Shading has been completely removed and replaced with a borderline.

Stage Four: Writing spaces are less structured; fewer distractions than typical notebook paper.

Stage Five: The most popular Stage Write paper! Spacing between blue baseline and gray guideline reduced to 1/4″.

Stage Six: Comparable to standard notebook paper. Still incorporates raised dark blue baseline and clearly defined margins.

Another great aspect of this paper is that it can be used with a variety of reading/writing/handwriting programs! Give your writers the tools they need to be successful, independent writers.

Guest Blogger: Sarah Glovasky M.S. OTR/L

More Than Just A Slant Board!

Assistive Technology, Fine Motor & Hand Skill Development, Handwriting, Therapist Resources, , ,

Slant boards are an invaluable therapeutic tool. They are a staple feature in classrooms and an added bonus to a well-equipped homework station. The versatility of slant boards allows for endless uses; they can be used at desks or tables during seated work, on a counter when working in a standing position, or even on the floor when working in the prone position (pro tip- this is a great way to develop important postural muscles!).  Some great benefits to using slant boards are:

Improve Pencil Grasp!
Writing on a surface that is positioned at an approximate 20 degree angle will put the wrist in the optimal extended position. This positioning encourages better pencil grasp and fine motor control.  Therapro’s Better Boards are lightweight and portable, making it easy to access the benefits of an angled writing surface just about anywhere!

Increase Attention & Focus!
Bringing visual information closer to eye level helps increase visual attention and focus.  It can also help decrease eye strain.  Place reading material on a slant board (or even a book holder) helps bring materials closer to eye level. 

Improving Posture!

Placing work materials on a raised surface, like a slant board, can help to decrease the rounded back posture. (Pro tip, ensure the angle of the slant board is at least at 22 degrees! ) The Aluminum Adjustable Slant Board and Adjustable/Collapsible Lightweight Slant Board both feature an adjustable angle, making it easy to find the perfect height!

Increasing Accessibility!
Many slant boards feature a clip to hold and stabilize papers. This feature is beneficial for one handed access or when bilateral coordination is decreased.  Write Slant Boards have an extra large clip for even easier access!

Slant boards are a great therapeutic tool for solving a variety of visual perceptual, fine motor and postural challenges!

Allyson Locke M.S., OTR/L & Sarah Glovasky M.S., OTR/L 

Collaborative Blog Project: Pencil Grips

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Therapro recognizes the value in the experience that comes from therapists working in the field. Back in January, we tried a little experiment; we had you all tell us your best tips and tricks related to handwriting evaluations.  We then took all of that wonderful information and compiled it into a collaborative blog post.  The information that comes from this type of collaborative approach is invaluable, and so we have put together our second collaborative blog post on pencil grips.

To gather information about the whats and whys of pencil grip usage, we asked you about the grips you are currently using, your favorite type of pencil grip, and the reason that you use grips. The Stetro Grip was identified as a favorite based on its size and “feel in little hands.” The Pencil Grip was a close second based on its design and because “students love it.” 

Pencil Grips: Survey Results

Which Pencil Grips Used when Choosing the Right Pencil Grip
Favorite Pencil Grips when Choosing the Right Pencil Grip
Why Use Pencil Grips

Some other great information that came out of this project was the ways therapists assess the need for pencil grips as well as tips and tricks therapists use to help promote a better pencil grasp.  

When determining the need for a pencil grip, the therapist Therapro surveyed suggested the following: 

  • Do a “Before and After”.  Assess a writing sample with and without a pencil grip to determine if the pencil grip influences legibility or changes the length of time a child is able to participate in the writing task.  
  • Just Ask!: A child’s willingness to use a pencil grip is often an overlooked factor but is absolutely critical. The user should always be an active participant in the decision to use a pencil grip and should have a role in deciding which one works best for them.
  • Check Applicability & Practicality.  Other important factors to consider include how practical is the pencil grip and is it applicable to the student’s current needs. Consider factors such as: Does the child switch classes/ have different environments that they are expected to do writing tasks in? Are there other writing instruments that the child uses (crayons, paintbrushes, etc.), and do they need to be modified in any way? Is the child still expected to do writing tasks or are they moving toward alternative input methods such as typing? 

Tips and Tricks for promoting functional grasp patterns included:

  • Hold small objects in the last two fingers to promote the separation of the two sides of the hand.
  • Use small writing tools (for example, broken crayons,  crayon rocks or short pencils) to promote the development of a tripod grasp.
  • Use triangular-shaped writing instruments to promote a tripod grasp. 
  • Use vertical surfaces (for example, tape the writing paper to the wall) or use slant boards for optimal hand placement and to promote better posture.
  • Highlight the writing space or use highlighter paper to help students write within the boundary area and to increase visual attention. 
  • In a pinch, wrapping clay around the pencil can be used for a pencil grip! 

Thank you to all of the wonderful therapists who took the time to share their expertise with us.  If you are looking for further guidance on choosing the right pencil grip, be sure to check out Therapro’s Get a Grip on Grips Handy Guide!