Effectiveness of School-Based Occupational Therapy Intervention on Handwriting - 1 views
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kweithman28 on 20 Nov 14In this study, 38 students between the ages 7-10 who showed poor handwriting legibility were observed over the course of one school year. 29 of the students received regular occupational therapy services, 9 received no services. Each student was evaluated at the beginning and end of the school year in the areas of Visual-motor, visual-perception, in-hand manipulation, handwriting legibility, and speed. Students who received occupational therapy services showed more improvement in in-hand manipulation, position in space scores, and handwriting legibility scores than those students who did not receive occupational therapy services. Students who received occupational therapy services increased legibility with an average of 14.2%. Students who did not receive occupational therapy services increased legibility with an average of only 5.8%. However, students who did not receive occupational therapy services had more improved handwriting speed than those who did receive services. Overall, one may conclude that students with poor handwriting legibility who receive occupational therapy services will improve their handwriting legibility skills but not necessarily their ability to write with increased speed. During my fieldwork experience in the school system I was able to work with many students on handwriting goals. Regular occupational therapy can greatly improve a student's handwriting abilities. I saw positive results with many of my students after only 12 weeks of intervention.
