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Handwriting and Cerebral Palsy

handwriting and cerebral palsy Your Therapy SourceThe Journal of Physical Science published research on 96 elementary school children with cerebral palsy to identify factors influencing handwriting articulation based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) and to recommend effective evaluation and intervention strategies.  The participants were: 54 males, 42 females, average age of 11.16 years old, 54 with diplegia, 30 with hemiplegia and 12 with quadriplegia.

Through interviews, proprioception test, manual muscle testing, dynamometer, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (subtest 3 and 8), sitting balance test, pencil grasp survey and Korean alphabet writing assessment factors related to handwriting were classified.  The factors were classified as personal factors (gender, age, education, hand dominance, type of cerebral palsy), environmental factors (writing aids, sitting aids, type of desk), body structure(affected side), body functions (cognitive function: orientation, visual perception, spatial perception, motor praxis, visuomotor organization, thinking operation; sensory function: proprioception, tactile; strength function: upper extremity, grasp, prehension; motor function: bilateral coordination, upper extremity speed), and activity and participation (sitting balance, pencil grasp posture).

The results indicated that the following factors were related to handwriting articulation:

  1. personal factors (age, education)
  2. body functions (cognitive function: visual perception, visuomotor organization
  3. strength function: upper extremity elbow flexion and extension, wrist extension, lateral deviation and medial deviation, grasp
  4. motor function: bilateral coordination, upper-extremity speed.

Statistically, wrist lateral deviation, upper-extremity speed and education were significantly associated with handwriting articulation.

Read the entire study here.

Reference:  Hee Young Kim, PhD, OT. An investigation of the factors affecting handwriting articulation of school aged children with cerebral palsy based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Jan; 28(2): 347–350.
Published online 2016 Feb 29. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.347.

Handwriting Stations from https://www.yourtherapysource.com/hwstation.html

Handwriting Stations: Includes the materials to create a handwriting station on a tri-fold or in a folder. The station includes proper letter formation for capital and lower case letters, correct posture, pencil grip, warm up exercises, letter reversals tips and self check sheet. In addition, there are 27 worksheets for the alphabet and number practice (Handwriting without Tears® style and Zaner-Bloser® style). This download is great for classroom use, therapy sessions or to send home with a student.

Handwriting Stations encourages: handwriting practice, visual motor skills and visual reminders for proper letter formation.

FIND OUT MORE at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/hwstation.html

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