How I came to write this post
Some time ago, I posted a question on Facebook asking if anyone knew which muscles are used in the act of writing. The answers that came back made me realise that the post I initially intended to write needs to be expanded. I was going to write a blog post regarding the physical component of writing; this being the ability to sit at a table in the correct position, stabilize the page and be able to hold a writing implement in the appropriate manner to begin writing. As the answers reflected, the act of writing requires much more than just the physical component.
What I hope the share about writing
I aim to help you to understand the complex task of writing over a series of posts. The posts that I have in mind will, therefore, take a look at:
- The skills and components that go into being able to write and how the occupational therapist can assist someone to improve their level of independence and performance in writing.
- The different ages that an occupational therapist may be required to assist with handwriting and for what possible reasons. Many who know of the role of the occupational therapist in assisting a person to write effectively, think of the intervention for a child. Although this is true and we will take a look at this, there are various reasons why a teenager, adult or even an elderly person might require an occupational therapist to assist with the important task of writing.
- The modern trend that affects everyone’s handwriting in today’s time. That is the use of the computer and technology.
If you have specific questions regarding occupational therapy and writing, please do post a comment below. If you or your child have a need for occupational therapy intervention in the area of fine motor and writing skills, please email me to schedule an appointment for an evaluation. You can also sign up for my newsletter via the main page of this website.
This post is prepared for you by
Shoshanah Shear, Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, certified Kallah teacher, working privately in Jerusalem. Shoshanah is also a freelance writer and co-author of “Tuvia Finds His Freedom” and author of “Healing Your Life Through Activity – An Occupational Therapist’s Story“