AT for Writing
The Writing Process:
Writing is a process that involves both motor and cognitive skills. Motor skills for writing (often referred to as handwriting skills) involve the actual physical or motor tasks required. The motor tasks of writing encompass legibility, eye-hand coordination, ability to use a writing tool (pencil, keyboard, etc.), spacing, letter formation, and letter size. The cognitive skills of writing involve thinking, planning, organization and decision making. Cognitive sub skills include spelling, mechanics (punctuation and capitalization), grammar and reading skills.
Sensory factors can impact one’s ability to complete the writing process. These factors include hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to stimuli such as visual clutter, fluorescent lighting, background noise and tactile stimulation. Sensory factors are typically taken into account as part of environmental considerations when doing planning that supports the process of writing.
Low-Tech Writing Supports
Environmental & Seating Adaptations
-Slant board
-Workspace environment (i.e. desk height)
-Seating
Variety of Pens/Pencils
-Thicknesses
-Grips
-Markers, gel pens
-Dry erase boards
Adapted paper
-line width and/or tri-lined paper graph papers (The Therapy Shoppe)
-colored or highlighted paper
-textured/ raised lined
-stop/go paper
Adapting Worksheets/Writing Templates
-draw boxes in answer spaces
-word bank with numbered words
-enlarge worksheets
-tape worksheet to desk or use clipboard
-magnet letters, words, phrases
-Masking tape, velcro, non-slip grip, rubber mats
Use of Prewritten Words/Phrases
-create prewritten words/phrases using magnets or label makers
-preprint letters/words/phrases, student chooses and glues on
-rubber stamps for names or filling in letters
-software programs to create word banks
Writing templates
-writing guides
-teacher-made templates
Mid-Tech Writing Supports
Electronic label makers
Portable talking dictionary
Portable word processor
Apps such as SnapTypePro or Notability
High-Tech Writing Supports
Operating systems accessibility features
Computer w/ word processing software
Alternative keyboards/alternative access
Scanning/Portable
Computer w/ word prediction software (CoWriter, Read and Write)
Dictation Headphones
Speech to text - Basic Chromebook accessibility tools, Google Voice Typing, Read & Write for Google,
Notetaking voice recording devices (Livescribe, Phillips Voice Recorder, Notability