Pen recommendations for hypermobility?

[NeverEnoughCake2]

DS is taking GCSEs this year. He's diagnosed with hypermobility and qualifies to type in exams. He'll be using this in all his essay - based subjects. However, he doesn't want to type in maths and science, as he finds it hard to think mathematically and format equations while typing.

That being said, his handwriting is really hard to decipher and I feel for anyone trying to mark his answers to the longer questions on science exams! I'm wondering if a different pen might help him write more clearly. I'd love to hear other people's experiences - if you, or your DC, are hypermobile, are there particular pens that you find more comfortable and/or easier to write clearly with?

Similar situation with our DD (Y9). On advice from her OH she is tailoring standard pens with either rubber sleeves or using fabric tape to have a thicker surface to grip with. She is also continuing with exercises to strengthen the muscles.

Look at Stabilo Easy or Pen again. A sloping desk might help and a wrist support. I’m guessing he won’t want to appear “ different”.
Is his grip “ correct” or does he have his own grip? Just experiment to see what is best. You can also get adapted rulers etc. The SENCO should be able to help.

Zebra z grip smooth are my go to. The grip makes them a little thicker and they’ve got a really smooth ink flow which I find makes my writing a little easier

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome with extreme hypermobility and have a times been forced to take exams with a bag of frozen peas taped around my wrist. IMO the best pen that I have ever used for exams is the Pilot Vega Gel pen
https://www.pens-etc.co.uk/products/pilot-vega-gel-pen-with-rubber-comfort-grip-in-3-colours

They have a soft, wide rubber grip and they are fatter than most pens and the gel action means that they write/flow with very little effort. They are a bit expensive but worth the money.

You can also buy foam pen grips on amazon (used these for exams where I had to write with a regulation pencil).

It can also help to find a wrist support for exams that gives the joint extra support - my wrist sometimes glides out of joint when I have to write or type.

I think it’s a case of trial and error unfortunately. For ds it has always been the berrol handwriting pens which work for him (his hypermobility is bad enough he wears a specially made hand grip)

for me I can’t write even a shopping list with them!

It’s advised to only use ballpoint pens for exams due to issues with smudging or the heat from the machines used to scan them in (can cause some inks to disappear). A special grip that can be added to a ballpoint pens will be the safest option.

The 4in1 Bic pen is my fave one to use (hypermobility penguin here!) as the barrel is a good thickness and flows smoothly on the page. Writing slope, extra time and lone exam room as reasonable adjustments too 💖

XH has hyper mobility and has found a y-shaped pen the only thing that helps him to write.

Yes the Y-shaped pens are good (or ring shaped ones), but also changing pen grip to D'Nelean/Monk's grip (you can google pictures) works very well - it was surprisingly easy and quick to change, even as an adult, as my hands obviously recognised that it was much less painful. (It essentially minics what a Y-shaped pen does, by putting the pen between the second and third fingers).

I'm sure within a few weeks, I'd switched enough that it was automatic, and it made such a difference. It was recommended by a private hand therapist who had a special interest in hypermobility. Although I was an adult by the time I saw her, she said I'd have been given extra time at school for exams if she'd been evaluating me then, and then I could have had rest breaks etc as well. I used to grip very tightly with a thumb-wrap grasp, had a huge bump on my finger from the pressure, and lots of pains in my forearm and shoulder after exams, as I had a lot to write, and wrote solidly for the two/three hours. I couldn't believe the difference the change in grip made, or how quickly I was able to change.

I have hypermobility and personally really enjoy pens with ink that is easy to write with and super slick, as it means I don't have to grip or press as hard. The Uni-Ball Eye Fine Rollerball Pens are my favourite, and you can add your own grip to them as needed.