Lower Mechanical skills: #1 Use of pen/pencil as a tool for writing

LOW TECH- 

These ideas were taken from a great blog that was aptly named: Low Tech Ways to Adapt Writing Tools for Students with Special Needs. I am quoting the author with great low budget ideas.

http://www.teachhub.com/low-tech-ways-adapt-writing-tools-students-special-needs

Pencil Adaptations  “Some of my students need something as simple as an adapted writing utensil. To accomplish this we use pencil grips, pencil weights, pencils stuck through a tennis ball, chalk holders, and even use Velcro to stick a writing utensil to a glove or mitt. You can also create your own customized pencil grip using Crayola Model magic. You can mold it to fit your student’s needs, when it dries it is really light, and the student can use markers or paint to color it.”  

          

 Raised Lines on Paper  “Other students may need adapted paper with raised lines, bigger spaces or different color lines.  A great way to add raised lines to any paper is to use Wikki sticks or, more recently popular, Bendaroos. These are simply string covered different color wax to make sticks.  You can stick a Bendaroo to a piece of paper and you have instant raised lines.  These fantastic little sticks also have a bunch of other uses like circling or underlining words, outlining a space to color, or holding a student’s paper to their desk.”

Slanted Writing Surfaces “Students may also benefit from having a slanted surface to write on. This can be accomplished by purchasing a slant board, although a less expensive option is to use a 3 ring binder put on its side. You can add a clip to the binder with hot glue so that the paper will stay in place.”

MID TECH-

Smartpen: An incredible tool for everyone actually! Smartpens record everything you write and hear so you'll never miss a word. Replay your meetings or lectures simply by tapping on your notes. Check it out at http://www.livescribe.com/en-ca/

HIGH TECH-

(See links on the right for places to shop for these items)

Mouse alternatives: 

There are numerous mouse options for those who struggle with navigating on a computer. Some of the alternatives for using a mouse  included: Trackball, Trackpad, Mouse keys, Joystick mouse. All of these range in price.

Keyboard alternatives

There is a great link to Fentek website (see list on blog) that designs keyboards to meet every users need. They spoke about these options: large print, large keys, foot pedals, and key guards. All are wonderful tools for those with limited motor skills.

Voice Recognition: 

You cannot go wrong with the Voice recognition software programs that are out there for our learners. The options and prices range in ability and options. My advice is to watch a video about it and read what others think before you buy.

APPS…. Of course. J

Bugs & Buttons ($2.99 - iPad only)

This is a game-style app which requires the user to pinch and pull various insects to containers, as well as other finger movements to play various games. It promotes finger/thumb control, as well as appropriate and sustained pressure.

Dexteria ($4.99 - Universal app)

This app provides therapeutic hand exercises for students, including dexterity, finger sequencing and isolation, and control.

Touch & Write ($2.99- iPad only)

A fun app designed to let children learn letters, numbers and words through tracing with a finger or stylus. It promotes fine motor skills by asking students to be precise in their tracing.