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Children's handwriting difficulties

Find out how we can help

Good handwriting is an essential life skill, and the building block for success at school

A child struggling with handwriting may soon become frustrated and lose motivation. Proactive, early action ensures that their difficulties are addressed quickly and minimises the impact on their progress at school.

We regularly assist children with handwriting difficulties and have developed our own programme which can be delivered at home and/or school. And when we help a child with their handwriting, we typically observe improvements in other areas of development too, including their academic progress and behaviour.

How OT's help

Whether your child's school has identified that their handwriting is falling behind that of their peers, or you have noticed such difficulties yourself, we can help. Parents contact us for a variety of reasons related to handwriting, but some of the most common difficulties to which it may contribute include:

  • Difficulty remembering how to form letters or in copying from a book or whiteboard
  • Poor spacing and positioning of letters and words
  • Discomfort in gripping a pencil for any length of time
  • Weak fine motor skills, hand strength and dexterity
  • An unwillingness to complete written homework
  • Difficulties concentrating, or poor behavior in the classroom that is less evident in the playground
  • Excessive tiredness after short periods of writing

Our assessment process allows a specialist occupational therapist to identify the nature of your child's difficulties with handwriting, and the reasons for them. Once identified, we can work with you and your child to put in place a plan to address them.

Packages of care

We are flexible around the needs of your child and family and have a variety of handwriting treatment packages to ensure we provide the right solution for you. All of our interventions are oriented towards ensuring that you and your child see measurable improvements.

This might include one or more of the following:

  • An eight-week block of one-to-one bespoke handwriting treatment sessions, delivered to your child at home or school, after which we will review and plan the next steps with you
  • An intensive block of treatment delivered over the holidays - this is popular with overseas families, or those with limited weekend or after-school capacity in term time
  • A home and school programme providing practical, everyday techniques, with advice and support to ensure that the approach is consistent throughout your child's day
  • Attendance at a handwriting group at weekends or over the holidays

Common areas we work on

Through our assessment we will identify the specific areas of handwriting that your child is struggling with, and the source of these difficulties, allowing us to plan a targeted treatment programme.

Some of the most common areas that we would expect to be working on include:

  • Developing a mature pencil grip
  • Assuming and maintaining an effective seating posture
  • Correct letter formation
  • Development of pre-writing and copying skills
  • Activities to increase core and shoulder stability
  • Fine motor skills, hand strength and dexterity
  • Organisation and presentation of work on the page
  • Working with parents and schools to ensure that the right approaches to handwriting continue even when the OT is not present

Schools, LEAs and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

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Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with handwriting difficulties.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you and your child are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated paediatric team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you and your child at home or school at a time convenient for you, with no clinics or waiting lists, offering after-school and weekend appointments where necessary
  • We devise home and school-based treatment plans to ensure that our assessment and advice is relevant to each child’s unique environment
  • Our nationwide network of registered children’s occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • Intensive treatment available during the school holidays
  • We believe our role is to equip you and your child to become as autonomous as possible – ultimately independent of, and not dependent upon, the help we provide

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Schools

Delivering individual or group therapy for children, or advice and training to up-skill members of staff.

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Local education authorities

Occupational therapy provision at home or school as recommended in an EHCP or Statement on behalf of LEA's.

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Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

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Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our paediatric client management team, who will be able to understand what your child's difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange an assessment visit at home or school, a mixture of formal and observational methods - as well as conversation with yourself, your child and their school - after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations, together with practical advice on how to help your child. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

A few of our handwriting specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who specialise in helping children with hand writing difficulties

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Sylwia

Surrey, South of England

Sylwia works in Surrey delivering Paediatric services and is familiar with a variety of conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Daily living skills

Marie

Worcestershire, West Midlands

Based in Evesham, Worcestershire, Marie is a Paediatric OT specialising in neurological conditions and brain injury.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Rachel

Dorset, South of England

Rachel, an expert Occupational Therapist based in Hampshire, specialises in paediatrics and handwriting assessments and treatments and EHCPs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment, Postural management

Bhawna

Coventry, Warwickshire

Bhawna, a paediatric Occupational Therapist specialising in sensory integration and a certified CO-OP practitioner assists clients with their motor skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability, Mental Health

Lynne

Middlesbrough, Durham

Lynn, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in seating and postural management and works in the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS, CBT, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Postural management, Learning disability, Mental Health

Mary

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist Mary works with children across various settings in the South East of England and Oxfordshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Deborah

Middlesex, London

Debbie is an expert Speech and Language Therapist, delivering specialist assessments and treatment to children at home, school, and nursery.

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Profession

Speech and Language Therapy

Regions covered

London, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

School Based Therapy/Support

Natiq

London - East, Essex

Qualifying in 2011, Natiq specialises in housing & equipment, rehabilitation and seating & postural management for adults and children.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Mental Health

Rachel

Shropshire, West Midlands

Based in Shrewsbury, Rachel is an experienced Paediatric OT offering assessments and care to children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Powys, Wrexham, Birmingham, Liverpool, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Rebecca

Edinburgh, Edinburgh (City of)

Based in Edinburgh, Rebecca is a specialist Paediatric OT providing expert care for children across Lothian and Fife.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Fife, Midlothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Lucy

Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham

With over 10 years’ experience, Lucy is an experienced Paediatric OT visiting children and their families across the North East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Chailey Postural Management, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Amanda

Hampshire, South of England

Based in Hampshire, Amanda is an experienced Paediatric OT helping children and their families with a wide range of needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Katie

West Yorkshire, North West England

Specialising in autism and learning difficulties, Katie is an experienced OT based in West Yorkshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Wakefield, Salford

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Anthea

Essex, East Anglia

Anthea is a Sensory Integration trained Paediatric Occupational Therapist, providing specialised treatment and intervention to children with diverse needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Essex, Hertfordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, School Based Therapy/Support

Shivangi

London - South, Kent

Shivangi is an experienced Paediatric OT based in London who supports children with a wide range of conditions and disabilities.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, South East of England, Kent, London - South

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Jasmine

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

Jasmine offers specialised occupational therapy services for paediatrics and adults, focusing on neurological rehabilitation and functional skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, TBI

Julia

Kent, South East of England

Julia is a dedicated Paediatric Occupational Therapist with extensive experience in working with children from infancy through school age.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Donna

Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Donna is a dedicated occupational therapist based in Northern Ireland, specifically serving the Tyrone region.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Armagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Julie

London - West, Berkshire

Julie, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in functional rehabilitation, neurology, complex paediatrics, and handwriting assessments.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Berkshire, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment

Rose

Bedfordshire

Rose conducts assessments with clients, providing intervention to improve their safety and independence within their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Margaret

London - East, London

Margaret is a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist in London, specialising in developmental and neurological conditions, including ASD, ADHD, and DCD.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Ganga

Kent, South East of England

Ganga is a highly experienced OT delivering specialist rehabilitation for adults and children across the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - South, London - East, Brighton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Social integration

Gabrielle

London

Gabrielle is a specialist Paediatric therapist providing tailored Occupational Therapy services to children across London, enhancing their development and independence.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Diana

Birmingham, West Midlands

Trained in Sensory Integration techniques, Diana provides specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapy in schools and patient’s homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care

Louise

Essex, East Anglia

Louise offers expert assessments and interventions in paediatrics, moving and handling, and housing and equipment across Essex and East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Essex, Suffolk, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Karin

Cambridgeshire, East Midlands

Working as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist in the East Midlands, Karin assesses and treats children at home and education settings.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Postural management, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, School Based Therapy/Support

Katie

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

Based in Tewkesbury, Katie is a specialist Paediatric OT delivering expert interventions across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Herefordshire, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Emma

Warwickshire, West Midlands

Emma is an experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist providing specialised care to children across the Midlands in various settings.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Caroline

London - Central, London

Caroline is a skilled Occupational Therapist specialising in Paediatrics and Neurological Rehabilitation, supporting children and adults across Greater London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Sally-Ann

Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

OT Sally-Ann specialises in paediatrics and sensory integration, and has a wealth of experience.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Addressing Handwriting Challenges in School-Aged Children

Occupational therapists are well-trained for analysing contributing factors impacting handwriting development and creating bespoke interventions and support plans for a child when required. In this article we look at the challenges and explore some of the solutions.

Read more

Interested in Private Practice

Pocket Guide to Fine Motor Development in Early Years

Our Clinical Lead Emma shares with the paediatric OT community a helpful check list for fine motor skill development in 2-5 year olds. This provides useful guidance and example activity ideas that paediatric OTs can use to when observing children interacting with their environment.

Read more