Having trouble getting my son to write.

Jacque - posted on 02/01/2009

Hello Renee I have a 7 year old autistic son and he still hates to write. We found that the problem for him was the feeling of the pencil on the paper really bothered him. We have sense gone to using the computer to type the answers or using the dry erase board, unfortunately we homeschool so I can do whatever I please if he is in school I would suggest try using the pencils from Crayola that have the little grpper thing attached not like the smooth one that they add but the ones with texture. Ask the OT about autistic kids sensitivity to wood on paper maybe they have more ideas.

Jacque

Trisha - posted on 02/01/2009

I was a special education teacher before I quit my job to stay home with my two children.  My oldest is autistic.  While teaching, the OT recommended "Handwriting Without Tears".  I successfully used this with children who were autistic, mentally handicapped, or children with learning disabilities.  My son is 5 and in preschool.  His OT just started using this program with him.  Right now he is using pieces of wood to make letters.  The next step will be the actual writing.  When I was a teacher I didn't start using Handwriting Without Tears until my students were 1st graders.  That just seemed the age that worked the best for my students.  They didn't get upset and made great progress!!!  "Handwriting Without Tears" has a website so just google them.  Their program is inexpensive so you could buy it to use at home.

Kerry - posted on 02/01/2009

Hello Renee, first can i say try not to be so worried just yet.  Try the learners pencils, the pencil grips (triangles of rubber that slip on the pencil to make the gripping easier) and teach him typing/keyboard skills.  It might be easier for him to type and answer and even if not that will teach or check his letter recognition.

MY oldest autistic does not write, part of his refusal to write, i became aware of as he got more verbal at around 14.  His idea is that the teacher knows the he knows the answer, why should he write it down??  Thats actually rather logical when you think about it in autism terms.  Perhaps if he likes the computer see if he will 'write' granny or aunt or someone, and email, each day until he becomes confidant. The pencil on paper thing might be something to have another try at each month or so, but not to battle about. 

The teachers at my sons primary school were happy if he did even a little work with the pencil, but would take most of his answers to tests verbally (they knew his verbal skills were alot of years higher than written skills, so even some of his high school testing was done under the 'special considerations"), and tested verbally (when he would cooperate).

Dot to dots of his fav cartoons?? find a words? other educational games like these might interest him enough to realize he can do it, and sometimes it might even be fun to write.

save the battles for more important things though, gl K

Christy - posted on 02/01/2009

I also played games that required the development of fine motor skills.  He probably can write, like you said his name, but it's the repetative motion that tires him out.  I played Hi Ho Cherrio and had him pick up the cherries with a pair of tweezers or tongs.  I played games where he would have to hang stuff up with clothes pins.  The opening and closing of the clothes pins develops strength in his hands.  I hid things in playdough and then clay to have him use the motor skills to find it.  All of these things help strengthen the muscles.  I also let him write on the mirror or glass door with dry erase markers because somehow it seemed like a treat to write words this way, and it postions his arm and hand correctly when he's standing.  I hope these give you a few ideas.  My son is 9 now, and he is able to write paragraphs now.  But boy, it was a constant struggle for so long.

Jami - posted on 02/01/2009

I had that trouble with my son. He is 9 now. He is in the third grade, wasn't quite ready for school at five so I held him back. I used to get book that he liked and have him write things on a wipe off board to get him used to holding a pencil. That was the hardest part. educational supply stores have things for your pencils that help them learn where to hold it. Use big pencils first, and work your way up.

Renee - posted on 02/01/2009

The OT got him to hold the pencil properly. But she told me to do the okay sign with your fingers and that seemed to work for him. He started out hold it with his whole hand, he will hold it right, he just won't write. I don't think he likes to write. I know he can, cause he can spell his name.

Shawna - posted on 01/31/2009

How do u get the child to hold the pencil properly. My son is 3 and still cant hold it properly. I try to place his fingers but he ends up wrapping his whole hand around it. He wont write nothing yet either, still scribbles....

Renee - posted on 01/31/2009

Childfind is a program inthe schools here in Maryland for children with special needs. They have IEP. You probably heard of them. He had an OT when he was in Pre-K(special-ed). How that he is not in special-ed he doesn't get to she the schools OT that much. We have tried the shaving cream, pudding, sand trick, but he doesn't like to get his hands dirty. He knows what all the letters and numbers look like he just won't write them.

Jenny - posted on 01/31/2009

I have two boys (3 & 4) with ASD. They really enjoy some of the Leapfrog toys and V-Tech that encourage writing. V-Tech has one that will animate the child's letters/drawing and my kids LOVE it! We've also used Magnadoodles and white boards. I know writing can be tough. Work with an OT could also be helpful.

Sarah - posted on 01/31/2009

We found our son didn't like to write mainly because he found it difficult and hates to attempt things he finds difficult or that he isn't good at.  Out OT has been working with him for 6mths now and we have gone from a child who was 2-3 yrs behind in pencil grasp and drawing concepts to a child who is above the average expectations. 

I still remember the first day he brought home a picture which actually resembled an object, not just scribble! 

They have done a lot of work building up the muscles required for fine motor, rolling plasticine/playdoe, different pencil grips, buzzy cushion under feet/bottom to help him sit, using his supporting arm to stabilise as well as exercises to stregthen his upper body and stomach which is needed to help them sit upright (does your son curl up/fold over when sitting at a desk or chair?)

Once he had the skills his desire to write has improved, although it's not his no.1 thing to do he can write short sentences before tiring and even draws pictures for fun!  All the best and hope you find something that helps

Nikkie - posted on 01/30/2009

what side of the spectrum is he? I am new to this, my son has aspergers, he writes great, but one of the problems they say asperger kids have is fine motor skills. Maybe he struggles and it's easier for him to not even really try. I don't have any idea how to get him to write,hopefully you could find an answer.

Dana - posted on 01/30/2009

Is childfind a pre-referral?  He needs to be assessed by an occupational therapist who can help.  Many children with ASD hate to write.  While they are working on that and you are getting suggestions from other moms some things that help so he doesn't fall behind on the letter recognition/formation as well as numbers are to let him do them in other medias....like shaving cream, pudding, sand, etc. 

I will also tell you I have all of my students in the classes I oversee start to learn typing skills because writing is often times diffiuclt for a long time.  Good luck and try to make it fun