AS and Poor Handwriting/Presentation

[BaconAndAvocado]

16 yo DS with AS is at 6th form and at Parents Evening I was told that his presentation is really letting him down. It is very very untidy.

How can I help him?

Tia

Can he type? A lot of people with autism and similar conditions find handwriting difficult so using a keyboard can make life easier. My son (also 16) has ADHD as well and it helps him to organise his thoughts. Eg he can answer essay questions better if he can write the conclusion first, then maybe some of the key points, and his introduction last. He finds it hard to write in the right order, iykwim.

He also has hypermobility in his hands - could that be an issue for your son? Does it hurt when he writes?

I'm surprised school haven't drawn attention to this earlier, tbh. If he uses a keyboard routinely he'd have one for exams, as it will be his 'normal way of working' and that's what JCQ ask for.

Btw, when my son's handwriting problems were assessed age 12 it was suggested that it was too late then to correct ingrained habits so there was no point in remedial exercises. Keyboards are the way to go.

Thanks streaky

DS has just started 6th form at a grammar school, he sat his GCSEs at a high school and he did use a computer for his exams except Maths.

We have decided to do a short handwriting exercise every night.

He can write in a clear style but it's printed rather than cursive which could potentially slow him down, especially in an exam.

I'd still pursue the keyboard. Does the new grammar school know he had a computer for GCSEs? Is he allowed to use one for coursework? There's little point in slowing him down if he can function better by typing. Also, he's going to have a lot more written work as his A levels progress and even more at university, so he might as well get used to a method that suits him now.

Will be speaking to his Maths teacher next week so will discuss using a computer then.

DS2 is only in Y8 but is already getting marked down for poor handwriting and presentation.