CLASSROOM SUGGESTIONS FOR OT

Classroom Suggestions:

  1. Have the child use a pencil grip that is molded to fit her fingers, such as a Stetro pencil grip, to facilitate opening of the thumb/ index finger web space and to reinforce correct positioning of her fingers on the pencil.
  2. Have the child perform copying and writing tasks on a vertical surface (eye-level) such as the white board, easel, or paper taped to a wall or door. This will facilitate wrist extension and opening of the thumb's web space.
  3. Consider having the child use a study corral or temporary dividers to reduce visual distractions when working on assignments requiring concentration.
  4. Having the child sit in a chair that has arms will may decrease wiggling and provide support for upright posture.
  5. Consider maintaining desk position close to teacher and area of instruction to facilitate remaining on task.
  6. To increase attention to task, consider increasing the variety of work at seat and limit assignment to 5-10 minutes.
  7. Provide practice with activities requiring focusing near to fare, e.g. duplicating patterns, words, or games from whiteboard to desk top. This will help to develop visual perceptual skills involved in far-point copying.
  8. Use a kinesthetic writing program, such as "Loops and Groups" to facilitate learning of cursive writing.

Suggested Interventions:

  1. Consider using a desk-top screen to reduce visual distracters in the classroom.
  2. Provide increased opportunity for practice of ball skills and other motor activities that require coordination and or balance. (i.e. jump rope, ball games, balance beam activities.) In addition, a breakdown of each movement with visual demonstrations and verbal cues would be helpful.
  3. Encourage her to use her right hand for writing and cutting activities. Provide additional physical and gestural cues to promote correct placement of school tools.
  4. Provide additional cues to walk slowly and pay attention to the environment.
  5. Verbal and physical prompts to correct body and chair position. (i.e. sit up close to the table with all chair legs on the ground.)
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