Tag Archives: parent resources

Raised Line Paper… What Is It?

March 21, 2022Assistive Technology, Handwritingassistive technology professionals (ATPs), classroom strategies, occupational therapy (OT) tools, parent resourcesGuest Blogger

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!

January 10, 2022Assistive Technology, Fine Motor & Hand Skill Development, Handwriting, Therapist Resourcesassistive technology professionals (ATPs), occupational therapy (OT) tools, parent resources, postural skillsAllyson Locke, M.S., OTR/L

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

Preparing for Holiday Sensory Overload

December 10, 2021Sensoryoccupational therapy (OT) tools, parent resources, sensory strategies, therapist resourcesAllyson Locke, M.S., OTR/L

The holiday season is upon us, and with that comes many associated sensory experiences (or sensory overload!). These can be pleasant, like the sound of bells ringing, the smell of cookies baking, or the sight of lights twinkling. They can also be a bit less pleasant, like the push of crowds, the honking horns of inpatient drivers stuck in holiday traffic, or the burning smell of a holiday meal mishap (oops!). For those with difficulty processing sensory stimuli, these added sensory experiences can be overwhelming and take the pleasure out of the holiday experience. Read on for tips and tricks for preparing for holiday sensory overload.

Retreat Spaces

Total elimination of sensory stimuli is nearly impossible, but offering a space with dampened sensory stimuli, to retreat to when needed, can help with overall regulation through the day. These spaces can often be created with minimal equipment and little space. For more information on retreat spaces, be sure to read our post, How to Help the Over Responsive Sensory System. On the go, items like noise-blocking headphones, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats can help limit extraneous stimuli.

Keep Your ‘(Sensory) Tools’ Handy!

When looking to calm an over responsive sensory system the top tools to keep in your ‘sensory toolbox’ are ones that have weight or resistive qualities. These features are helpful for providing deep pressure input to organize and regulate an over-stimulated sensory system. Keeping a tight fighting hat, heavy quilt or a weighted lap pad in the car can help organize the sensory systems between holiday visits. Pack some gum or a water bottle; chewing and resistive sucking are great ways to provide organizing proprioceptive input. A simple swap like using a straw or water bottle at the holiday table can be a game changer for the over responsive sensory system! Check out Therapro’s Free Tap Into Tools for the Body Handy Guide for more ideas!

Make A Schedule!

Schedules give the opportunity to be proactive and to prepare for upcoming sensory experiences. This is especially useful for those with an over responsive sensory system because it allows for the needed time to access and utilize coping strategies (like packing those handy weighted lap pads!). Schedules can also be helpful in identifying when too many over stimulated experiences are grouped together without needed “down time” in between. Hand held electronic devices offer many ready to use scheduling options, for non screen options check out SchKIDules!

Quiet spaces, sensory tools, and sticking to routines are useful strategies for helping an over responsive sensory system and may be the difference between a stressful and a stressless holiday!