For years, I have seen that handwriting is a major source of stress and anxiety kids on the autism spectrum.  There is finally research showing this is true.  We don’t think about this when our kids are young and first diagnosed.  We are usually more concerned about language and social interaction.  However, without early occupational therapy, most of our kids will not meet functional handwriting.  Truly functional writing is controlled/legible AND fast enough to take notes and write a timed essay test.

When our son was first diagnosed, he had fine motor delays, but we didn’t notice them until he was fully evaluated.  He had severe sensory processing problems.  If your brain can’t process all the input it receives properly, the motor system does not develop properly.  It’s like a pyramid – good gross motor skills depend on sensory processing.  Good fine motor skills come from a solid trunk and posture, which comes from good gross motor control.  Many skills in the hands are needed to attain “graphomotor” skills  - aka handwriting.  To make matters worse, by the time a child is about 10, it is nearly impossible to improve these skills.  It is essential to get good sensory based occupational therapy early if there is a chance for your child to develop adequate writing skills.

I frequently see anxiety go up when my patients start first grade.  I used to think it was due to being on someone else’s agenda all day and the increased sensory demands.  Now I really think a big part of it is the writing demands.  They usually have an awkward grip and it is physically painful to write.  This often leads to challenging behaviors and incomplete work.  The work then comes home, and leads to homework wars and more frustration.  The anxiety leads to more perseveration and repetitive behaviors, and interferes with the child and family living their lives.  I often have to use medication to relieve the anxiety.  I often recommend the child dictate their homework to their parents.  Since typing is more of a gross motor task, it is easier to master.  Kids with writing problems should be taught to type early and be allowed to use a keyboard for written work.

Our son never achieved adequate writing, and he is dependent on the computer.  But by allowing him to use a keyboard, he has developed into a gifted writer!  Bypassing the handwriting allowed his composition skills to develop.  I will always be grateful to the wonderful occupational therapists who worked with our son over the years.  He developed many skills as a result.  I thank God we live in the 21st century and he  has the technology he needs for the skills he lacks.

So let’s give our kids a break, and decrease the writing demands.  They will be better off for it.