Dysgraphia assessment and handwriting boosters

[Verbena37]

Hi,
My recently diagnosed ASD year 6 10yr old DS needs to be assessed for dysgraphia.
The paediatrician who diagnosed ASD said we should get him tested because the problems he has with his writing could be causing much of his anxiety in school.

So I explained about dysgraphia to SENCO and she said she'd chat to Ed. Psych. Just found out Ed.Psych not in school until mid April at which point, she can meet DS to see what assessments need doing.

I've been told in the mean time, DS will be part of a handwriting booster group, focus sing on improving fine motor skills and cursive handwriting. I've agreed because it's such a long wait until ed. psych comes in, but I'm slightly worried it could do more harm than good.

Do you think they will realise the pain he is in when writing and how challenging he finds organising his thoughts? He won't speak up and explain anything about how he is feeling because of his ASD. To me, it seems much more like an aesthetic exercise about presentation than looking at the underlying problem he has mentally and physically with the process of writing. Could this make him more anxious or is it a good thing?

[Ineedmorepatience]

I think it could go either way to be honest! When Dd3 was in yr 6 any opportunity to be out of the main classroom and awqy from the pressure of sats would have been a bonus!

She was never taught to write properly and is hypermobile so gets pain when she writes, she has literacy difficulties related to her Asd but dysgraphia is not specifically named on her EP report!

I think I would want to know who is running this group, does your Ds have a good working relationship with them and does he want to go out with the small group!

Then if he does do it, you should monitor his stress after each session and decide from there whether you want him to continue!

My concern would be that the group will be run by TA's who have had minimal training and that will be in a one size fits all method!

Good luck

[Verbena37]

That's relly kind, thank you.
That makes total sense and I had thought about the whole TA issue and one size fits all.

I'll perhaps wait until the first one then and then monitor stress/what they did and how it was structured.

[Veritat]

Ask whether they can organise an occupational therapy assessment, the pain may in part be down to things like grip on the pen, whether he's putting too much pressure on it, and whether there are any problems with his joints.

[Verbena37]

Thank you. So is it only school that would arrange for an OT assessment? I wouldn't do it through GP, no?

[Ineedmorepatience]

In my LA a GP or senco or paediatrician or camhs can refer to OT!

[Verbena37]

Ok, cool. Will check and see if my GP could refer then.

[frazzledbutcalm]

My ds (year 6) has hypermobility and gets pain in his hands when writing, after only 2 sentences (discovered at a physio appointment)! Physio gave us Kinesio tape for him .. it makes a HUGE difference.

School have started handwriting sessions twice a week .. ds HATES them But apparently, they have made a difference to his handwriting I've spoken to the Senco because ds said he didn't get on with the teacher and the sessions lasted longer than they were supposed to. Ds now has a timer to ensure he only does the 10 minutes required. I've told school if there's further problems I'll withdraw him from the sessions.

OT - That's a joke in our area ... I'm still trying to get ds and his sister seen by OT. I just keep hitting brick walls all the way.

On a separate note, my dc wear coloured lens glasses from here ... they help with all kinds of sensory issues (which can be a cause of gripping pens too hard, putting too much pressure when writing etc).

[mozzarella22]

Hi Frazzel, I'm intrigued by the Kinesio taping helping dysgraphia. Where on the body do you put it?! Thanks in advance.