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Original poster

Dreadful handwriting concern...

40 replies

Feminine · 13/10/2011 03:17

We are returning to the UK next year (in US)

My DS13 has really bad handwriting ,to the point that I can't understand 70% of it!

It has not always been this way, he started his school life in the UK and churned out reasonable 'starter' cursive. When we arrived here,he was instructed to revert back to printing...anyway this played havoc with his 'style'

I am actually getting concerned, he can't/won't see the problem, and seems to think computers should/will take care of it.

I am really looking for help in getting him focused, and maybe some advice as to how he can improve.

Its not helping that his typing skills are superb ,its only fulling his argument to not even bother to print clearly!

How much of his coursework will be on the computer?

Thanks all :)

OP posts:
peteneras · 16/10/2011 17:01

'My DS13 has really bad handwriting ,to the point that I can't understand 70% of it!'

Don't despair OP, I can see a potential medic in the making. . . .

I can never read any of my or the family doctors' handwriting. Grin

MindtheGappp · 16/10/2011 18:28

tabulah, I think the OP's DS would have a laptop. She hasn't mentioned this as being a problem.

Yes, for any access arrangement, you have to need it in lessons before you can have it in exams. This is a key principle.

Original poster
Feminine · 16/10/2011 19:42

Thank you all...thanks for the links :)

Oh,yes he will have a lap-top ...he trades things and has acquired quite a collection Shock his bedroom looks like mission control.

So, because of his love for all things gadgety...I needed to find out if he was just being lazy.

Today we practiced some more, I can see improvement but he has slipped in to bad habits (thats for sure)

I will get him assessed when we get back early next year,I am sure the experts will be able to tell if he is being lazy or might need extra help.

peteneras that made me laugh ...

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 16/10/2011 22:13

Schools generally don't let pupils bring in their own laptops. At least I've never been in one that does and it's against LEA rules here.

Which is why there has to be a specific need - because you're asking for school resources.

In theory it should be as simple as he'd benefit from it so he can use one, but that's not how it actually works.

Original poster
Feminine · 16/10/2011 23:24

Well don't worry tab :) I can see your point.

If he does have a SEN then I suspect the school will have/want to take care of it.

If not, then he will just have to practice his handwriting even more!

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 17/10/2011 00:10

To be honest, if his writing is as bad as you describe - he should be allowed a laptop, but i just wanted you to know that what should happen isn't always what does happen, unfortunately.

And of course it'll still be an issue for subjects like maths, I know some schools have been trialling electronic papers - but I don't know if they're actually in use yet.

startail · 17/10/2011 00:22

Don't threat to much my hand writing horrible, DHs is worse still and our exam markers managed.
Seriously my uncle spent years marking A level history scripts and he said they only ever had one that no one could read (sometimes bad ones got passed round to different markers until someone could read them)

Original poster
Feminine · 17/10/2011 00:22

Thanks for those hints tab :)

I am totally out of touch with UK secondary schools ,I have a lot to learn!

If moving countries again wasn't enough eh?

OP posts:
Original poster
Feminine · 17/10/2011 00:26

startail I always thought it would be a big fat X from an examiner if it was too difficult to decipher!

Your story is quite uplifting Grin

Thanks.

OP posts:
LIZS · 17/10/2011 07:22

An assessment could take a while to organise though - ds had an 18 month wait for an NHS OT - by which time your ds could be well into his GCSE studies. If you can get one done before your return (and if you have private healthcare it shouldn't be that difficult) or have a letter of support from the current school at least then you have starting point to argue with in the meantime. Otherwise I fear you will come up against resistance and scepticism.

Original poster
Feminine · 17/10/2011 15:02

Yes,linz it would not be too difficult to organize I suppose-thanks :)

Do you think teachers are trained to spot handwriting problems? ie lazy v needing specialized help?

None of the teachers here have said anything about his scribbles ...mind you that does not surprise me unfortunately...Grin

I am going to work with DS for a couple of weeks ...just to see.

OP posts:
IndigoBell · 17/10/2011 15:25

No teachers can't spot the difference. Only an OT could.

Original poster
Feminine · 17/10/2011 16:23

indigo thanks ...I guess that makes sense.

OP posts:
IloveJudgeJudy · 17/10/2011 17:20

I would guess that the typing has had an effect on his handwriting. I can type pretty fast and it's much easier for me to type than to write, but as I've just started an OU course, I think I'm going to have to practise handwriting.

DC's school has just gone over to a new type of GCSE with much more writing in the exams. They said they are going to get the DC to practise this as they're not used to writing for two hours which is what some of the final exams will be. Normally it's only about 45 mins. You have to work up to that.

I have a bit of the same problem with DS2. I just need to get him (and me) to knuckle down and practise!

Original poster
Feminine · 17/10/2011 18:39

Yes,Ilove you are right.

He has an amazing typing speed ,its accurate too!

Lucky thing...I spend ages and I "hunt and peck" and they call it here Grin

OP posts:
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