Aspergers Syndrome

Dysgraphia is a handwriting disability usually associated with a dificiency in fine motor skills.  This term “fine motor skills” refers to the ability to perform tasks that require a high degree of precision and manual dexterity.  Writing is one such skill.

Since motor skills dificiencies are an area often found in children with Aspergers you do often see many with poor handwriting.

 Fine motor skill activities are controlled by small muscle coordination.  Many fine motor skills need to be explicitly taught such as handwriting. 

We researched dysgraphia as well as asked our doctor about tools and techniques that would assist our daughter with her disability.  The suggestions given all are to help build muscle strength in the hands and brain to hand coordination.  Some things we have learned to help our daughter outside her normal dysgraphia classes with school are:

1.  Stress ball or “hand” exercise ball that requires them to squeeze and release.

2.  Playing video games that require rapid finger/hand movements with buttons (like a gameboy).  

3.  Teach them to type and practice to increase their speed.

4.  Practice writing sentences and increase the amount every week.

5.  Learn to play an instrument.  There is a large amount of finger and hand coordination needed to play an instrument. 

6.  String beads, knit, cross stich, sew. 

7.  Coloring, draw, paint or anything that requires the same grip as a pencil for writing.

8.  Using tools.  Hammering, using a screwdriver, gardening with tools all require a grip and muscular strength of the hands.