Two Intervention Strategies

There are many ways to help students with handwriting problems. Zwicker and Hadwin performed a study where they looked at two major forms of intervention for students with handwriting difficulties. While their results were limited both strategies provide useful tools for the every day classroom and a greater understanding that students simply need more intervention in school (the study hypothesized that results were limited due to the brevity of the intervention plans).

Let's take a look at the two intervention methods:

1. Cognitive intervention

This form is, as the name connotes, a more mental strategy. In the study children who underwent cognitive intervention first practiced naming letters at random, and out of order. They then went on to use letters with numbered arrows to practice making the shapes of the letters and the therapist discussed how to form the letters. Then the students traced the letters and the student and therapist discussed how letters were the same and different. Last the students practice writing the letters with the arrows, and then independently.

2. Multisensory intervention

In this the therapist started by targeting a group of letters and showing them to the student. Then the child copied them on the board. After that the student and therapist wrote the letters in the sky (sky writing) and then in sand or cornmeal three times. After that the child traced tactile letters and then traced them on paper. Last the child wrote them independently.

The study notes that cognitive is more useful for second grade students, and in fact more beneficial at this age. This simply might have to due with developmental needs and understandings.

In my classroom we use a combination of cognitive and sensory approaches to learning letters. I incorporate many of these strategies as a form of universal design for my students. Something to think about is that the study notes the lack of time for intervention in how often students get occupational therapy. As educators it is our job to bring these strategies into the classroom and to also show our parents how to use these strategies at home. Next time you are teaching a letter think about which strategy you are using. One? Both? Now think about your students, which strategy might they benefit from? Now reflect on your lesson and see if your students needs are being met. (Footnote 12).