She's writing!

[insidevoice]

DD struggles terribly with dysgraphia.  She absolutely HATES the physical act of writing, and it has  gotten in the way for her  for as long as she has been writing.  I allow her to use the computer for most of her work, because typing isn't as difficult.

To my great surprise, over the past few days she's been physically writing notes to fictional characters in books she's reading etc, and stashing them around so they (well, I) can write back.  Apparently when it's a game it's far less annoying. 

The fact that I'm becoming a very unschool-y homeschool parent still amazes me, but it works for our family. 

[4evermom]

That's awesome!

[SweetSilver]

My 6.5yo hates writing.  Your story is inspirational for me.  We are unschoolers, so I make opportunities for her to write, but she doesn't follow through.  One or two words a week (if that) is as much as I can eke out of her.  I do have hope of "one day" but sometimes I have doubt.  Thanks for your story!

[Mittsy]

DD(6.5) is the same way because of a fine motor delay, she hates drawing/writing/cutting.... She is writing now with help, she asks me to put pressure on her hand and give her oral directions when writing letters, she says it helps her calm down and focus.

Congrats to both of you!!

[insidevoice]

Originally Posted by Mittsy 

DD(6.5) is the same way because of a fine motor delay, she hates drawing/writing/cutting.... She is writing now with help, she asks me to put pressure on her hand and give her oral directions when writing letters, she says it helps her calm down and focus.

Congrats to both of you!!

Oh- for this DD LOVED having those exercise wrist weights on her hand when she was first learning letters.  She discovered it and I went with it- it did help a lot initially. 

[Mittsy]

insidevoice: Where can I find those? I've been wondering if may'be a weighted vest might help with some issues as sometimes the extra pressure can be calming for her, mainly for issues with anxiety not anger/frustration.

[insidevoice]

She just used some I had around from an exercise kit- I imagine you could get them in any exercise-ish store- so long as they aren't too heavy (I think DD used 1.5-2 lb weights) They just velcroed on.  

We never explored a weighted vest, but I made her a weighted blanket that's worth it's weight in gold.  If she's having a flustery day she'll wrap up in it. 

[westslope]

congratulations on her writing!  Do you go to OT?  I like using sensory activities for writing.  My littlest doesn't have any special needs but I use a sugar tray for her and her letters anyway.  The first time she said "that was a fuuun activity".  My oldest does have special needs and we did a tray with shaving cream and writing letters in that, then salt or sugar,  etc.  It was helpful.  Anyway, I am glad that you are experiencing success.  It must feel like a weight off the shoulders.

We love our weighted blanket too :)