In your classroom there will be a variety of children with graphomotor needs. As the teacher we need to be aware when we should be differentiating in the classroom to meet the child's needs and when we need to look to outside help for support.
The most important source to help in understanding and differentiating for graphomotor needs is an occupational therapist. My school is blessed to have an excellent full time OT (occupational therapist). The OT is mandated to work with certain students, but also serves as a valuable resource for strategies to help with all of my students.
Kranowitz defines occpational therapy as, "a health profession that helps people improve the functioning of their nervous system in order to develop skills leading to independence in personal, social, academic, and vocational pursuits. An occupational therapist is an allied health professional trained in the biological, physical, medical, and behavioral sciences including neurology, anatomy, development, kinesiology, orthopedics, psychiatry, and psychology, "(see footnote 4).
If you aren't sure if a student needs the help of occupational therapy talk to your school's OT and get their opinion. Most of all, if you feel like the student needs services get started immediately on helping the child!
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