Motor Aspects of Writing
Define: The process of writing is consists of two features: the motor aspects of writing and the composition of the written material. The composition of the written material involves thinking, planning, organizing and editing thoughts into a cohesive narrative, while the motor aspects of writing encompass handwriting (e.g., ease of forming letters, legibility) and keyboarding (e.g., speed and accuracy of typing) skills. Difficulty with the motor aspects of writing is called dysgraphia. Dysgraphia can lead to issues with spelling, poor handwriting, trouble getting thoughts onto paper, and arranging letters, numbers, and/or words on lines or the page.
Low-Tech: 1) Grotto Grip --> pencil grip made by Pathways for Learning, Inc. This grip was created and tested by pediatric occupational
therapists who specialize in handwriting. The company states that the Grotto Grip decreases hand fatigue and decreases pencil
pressure. They also report that if used consistently, the Grotto Grip can increase a student’s writing endurance and control of the
pencil while also training the student’s hand muscles to hold the pencil correctly. The grip is designed to be symmetrical so both
right- and left-handed students can use it. On the Pathways for Learning, Inc. website, a 3-pack of Grotto Grips costs only $5.60.
Low-Tech: 1) Grotto Grip --> pencil grip made by Pathways for Learning, Inc. This grip was created and tested by pediatric occupational
therapists who specialize in handwriting. The company states that the Grotto Grip decreases hand fatigue and decreases pencil
pressure. They also report that if used consistently, the Grotto Grip can increase a student’s writing endurance and control of the
pencil while also training the student’s hand muscles to hold the pencil correctly. The grip is designed to be symmetrical so both
right- and left-handed students can use it. On the Pathways for Learning, Inc. website, a 3-pack of Grotto Grips costs only $5.60.
2) Right Line Paper --> type of adapted paper produced by a number of different manufacturers (e.g., PRO-ED, Inc., Therapy
Shoppe, Inc., etc.). This paper has a raised line that is superimposed on the printed green line. The raised line allows students to
feel the line while they are writing, helping them to keep their writing within the lines more effectively. The printed line is colored
green so students do not confuse it for pencil or pen markings. Right Line Paper comes in wide-rule and narrow-rule. The wide-
rule has an additional dashed line between the top and bottom raised lines; the dashed line aids students with letter formation.
Right Line Paper ranges in price (from $25.00-$55.00) depending on the manufacturer and depending on how many sheets come
in a pack (125 or 250).
Shoppe, Inc., etc.). This paper has a raised line that is superimposed on the printed green line. The raised line allows students to
feel the line while they are writing, helping them to keep their writing within the lines more effectively. The printed line is colored
green so students do not confuse it for pencil or pen markings. Right Line Paper comes in wide-rule and narrow-rule. The wide-
rule has an additional dashed line between the top and bottom raised lines; the dashed line aids students with letter formation.
Right Line Paper ranges in price (from $25.00-$55.00) depending on the manufacturer and depending on how many sheets come
in a pack (125 or 250).
3) Ergo-Rite™ Slant Board for Writing --> a writing board angled 20 degrees created by Fun and Function, LLC to maximize a
student’s success with writing. This board is angled to improve both writing posture and learning posture. The slanted board
enhances hand and wrist position for writing. The Ergo-Rite™ Slant Board for Writing is non-breakable, lightweight, and easy
to transport. The board also contains a large metal clip and no slip-discs, so papers can be held in place without sliding.
According to the Fun and Function, LLC website, a small board costs $46.99 and a large board costs $48.99.
student’s success with writing. This board is angled to improve both writing posture and learning posture. The slanted board
enhances hand and wrist position for writing. The Ergo-Rite™ Slant Board for Writing is non-breakable, lightweight, and easy
to transport. The board also contains a large metal clip and no slip-discs, so papers can be held in place without sliding.
According to the Fun and Function, LLC website, a small board costs $46.99 and a large board costs $48.99.
Mid-Tech: 1) NEO 2 --> battery-operated portable word processor created by AlphaSmart. This lightweight device comes programmed with a
number of assistive technology features which help adapt the device to the needs of the student. Some of these functions include
Slow Keys (assists students with unsteady hands or who have difficulty selecting specific keys), large display font options, word
prediction technology, and optional text-to-speech feature. The NEO 2 also comes with AlphaWord Plus (a complete word
processor), KeyWords (a keyboarding and typing trainer), a calculator, and printing capabilities. This device costs $169.00.
number of assistive technology features which help adapt the device to the needs of the student. Some of these functions include
Slow Keys (assists students with unsteady hands or who have difficulty selecting specific keys), large display font options, word
prediction technology, and optional text-to-speech feature. The NEO 2 also comes with AlphaWord Plus (a complete word
processor), KeyWords (a keyboarding and typing trainer), a calculator, and printing capabilities. This device costs $169.00.
2) Children’s Talking Dictionary and Spell Corrector --> a portable, battery-operated, talking dictionary by Franklin Electronics
Publishing. This device may be useful for students who have difficulty with writing and spelling. This dictionary contains an
automatic phonetic spell corrector and an animated handwriting guide which provides models of both print and cursive letters.
This device also creates a personalized vocabulary list, pronounces letters and words and reads definitions aloud. Students can
use headphones with the dictionary so as not to distract other students in the class. The Children’s Talking Dictionary and Spell
Corrector costs $49.99 when purchased from Franklin Electronics Publishing.
Publishing. This device may be useful for students who have difficulty with writing and spelling. This dictionary contains an
automatic phonetic spell corrector and an animated handwriting guide which provides models of both print and cursive letters.
This device also creates a personalized vocabulary list, pronounces letters and words and reads definitions aloud. Students can
use headphones with the dictionary so as not to distract other students in the class. The Children’s Talking Dictionary and Spell
Corrector costs $49.99 when purchased from Franklin Electronics Publishing.
3) Dymo LabelManager 210D Kit --> Electronic label makers provide a way for students who have difficulty writing letters to
complete worksheets or write documents. The student can type a word or phrase in the label maker, print out the label, and
fasten the label to the assignment they are working on. While there are many label makers available on the market, the Dymo
LabelManager 210D Kit has features that seem likely to be beneficial for students. The buttons and screen are relatively large and
the keyboard is set up in QWERTY fashion like a computer keyboard (which can help encourage typing skills). The display screen
shows users exactly how the label will appear and there are keys for punctuation and currency. This label maker comes as part of
a kit which also includes batteries, an AC adapter, laminated starter tape, and a carrying case. This product is available at a
number of stores and ranges in price. Office Max and Office Depot sell the Dymo LabelManager 210D Kit at a regular price of
$49.99.
complete worksheets or write documents. The student can type a word or phrase in the label maker, print out the label, and
fasten the label to the assignment they are working on. While there are many label makers available on the market, the Dymo
LabelManager 210D Kit has features that seem likely to be beneficial for students. The buttons and screen are relatively large and
the keyboard is set up in QWERTY fashion like a computer keyboard (which can help encourage typing skills). The display screen
shows users exactly how the label will appear and there are keys for punctuation and currency. This label maker comes as part of
a kit which also includes batteries, an AC adapter, laminated starter tape, and a carrying case. This product is available at a
number of stores and ranges in price. Office Max and Office Depot sell the Dymo LabelManager 210D Kit at a regular price of
$49.99.
High-Tech: 1) Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Home --> voice recognition software for use with PCs created by Nuance Communications, Inc.
This software allows individuals to speak words and phrases and they appear on the screen. The words appear three times faster
than if a person were to type them. This eliminates the struggle children may have with forming letters, typing, or spelling. The
website claims the product is 99% accurate. Editing can also be accomplished using voice commands. Students using this software
will have to say the names of punctuation marks as they come up in the sentence. According to the Nuance Communications, Inc.
website, Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Home is typically $99.99
This software allows individuals to speak words and phrases and they appear on the screen. The words appear three times faster
than if a person were to type them. This eliminates the struggle children may have with forming letters, typing, or spelling. The
website claims the product is 99% accurate. Editing can also be accomplished using voice commands. Students using this software
will have to say the names of punctuation marks as they come up in the sentence. According to the Nuance Communications, Inc.
website, Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Home is typically $99.99
2) Co:Writer 6 --> a word prediction software to be used with Macs or PCs created by Don Johnston, Inc. This software works
with any program in which a person types (e.g., MS Word) and contains features such as topic dictionaries, the ability to create a
personal dictionary, linguistic word prediction, spelling correction, a word bank, and text-to-speech capabilities. The linguistic
word prediction uses the context of the entire sentence to predict the most accurate word that should come next. While students
still have to type using this software, the word prediction, spelling correction, and word bank elements eliminate some burden off
of students who struggle with writing. Co:Writer 6 costs $290.00 for 1-4 computers, and the price decreases as the software is
purchased for more computers.
with any program in which a person types (e.g., MS Word) and contains features such as topic dictionaries, the ability to create a
personal dictionary, linguistic word prediction, spelling correction, a word bank, and text-to-speech capabilities. The linguistic
word prediction uses the context of the entire sentence to predict the most accurate word that should come next. While students
still have to type using this software, the word prediction, spelling correction, and word bank elements eliminate some burden off
of students who struggle with writing. Co:Writer 6 costs $290.00 for 1-4 computers, and the price decreases as the software is
purchased for more computers.
3) WYNN Wizard --> scanning and reading software created by Freedom Scientific, Inc. This software works with the use of
computers and most generic scanners. The WYNN Wizard allows printed pages or worksheets to be scanned in and converted to
electronic text so students can fill them out on the computer (eliminating having to handwrite answers). This software also
contains features such as word prediction, spell check, and talking dictionary/thesaurus, which would also help students who
struggle with writing. The WYNN Wizard costs $995 for one computer; this does not include the price of the scanner or the
computer that is also needed for the software to work.
computers and most generic scanners. The WYNN Wizard allows printed pages or worksheets to be scanned in and converted to
electronic text so students can fill them out on the computer (eliminating having to handwrite answers). This software also
contains features such as word prediction, spell check, and talking dictionary/thesaurus, which would also help students who
struggle with writing. The WYNN Wizard costs $995 for one computer; this does not include the price of the scanner or the
computer that is also needed for the software to work.
Resources: 1) More information about dysgraphia: http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/dysgraphia/what-is-dysgraphia
2) Information from the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Institute (WATI) on the Motor Aspects of Writing and the continuum of technology for difficulties in this area: http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/Ch5-WritingMotorAspects.pdf
3) Full information on the Grotto Grip and access to information on other products from Pathways for Learning, Inc.: https://pathwaysforlearning.com/Products_-_Grotto_Grip.html
4) Full information on Right Line Paper from Pro-Ed, Inc.: http://www.proedinc.com/customer/productView.aspx?ID=577
5) Full information on the Ergo-Rite Slant Board for Writing and access to information on other products from Fun and Function, LLC.: http://funandfunction.com/ergorite%E2%84%A2-slant-board-for-writing-p-2380.html
6) Full information about the NEO 2: http://www.neo-direct.com/NEO2/specialneeds.aspx
7) Full information on the Children’s Talking Dictionary and Spell Corrector: http://www.franklin.com/children-s-talking-dictionary-spell-corrector
8) Full information on the DYMO LabelManager 210D Kit and access to information on other products from DYMO.: http://sites.dymo.com/Solutions/Pages/Seg_cat_lndg.aspx?SegmentName=Office(DYMO_US1)&cat=OFFICE_ElectronicLabelMakers(DYMO_US1)
9) Full information on the Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Home and access to information on other products from Nuance Communications, Inc.: http://www.nuance.com/for-individuals/by-product/dragon-for-pc/home-version/index.htm
10) Full information on the Co:Writer 6 and access to information on other products from Don Johnston, Inc.: http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/index.html
11) Full information on the WYNN Wizard and access to information on other products from Freedom Scientific, Inc: http://www.freedomscientific.com/lsg/products/wynn.asp
2) Information from the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Institute (WATI) on the Motor Aspects of Writing and the continuum of technology for difficulties in this area: http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/Ch5-WritingMotorAspects.pdf
3) Full information on the Grotto Grip and access to information on other products from Pathways for Learning, Inc.: https://pathwaysforlearning.com/Products_-_Grotto_Grip.html
4) Full information on Right Line Paper from Pro-Ed, Inc.: http://www.proedinc.com/customer/productView.aspx?ID=577
5) Full information on the Ergo-Rite Slant Board for Writing and access to information on other products from Fun and Function, LLC.: http://funandfunction.com/ergorite%E2%84%A2-slant-board-for-writing-p-2380.html
6) Full information about the NEO 2: http://www.neo-direct.com/NEO2/specialneeds.aspx
7) Full information on the Children’s Talking Dictionary and Spell Corrector: http://www.franklin.com/children-s-talking-dictionary-spell-corrector
8) Full information on the DYMO LabelManager 210D Kit and access to information on other products from DYMO.: http://sites.dymo.com/Solutions/Pages/Seg_cat_lndg.aspx?SegmentName=Office(DYMO_US1)&cat=OFFICE_ElectronicLabelMakers(DYMO_US1)
9) Full information on the Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Home and access to information on other products from Nuance Communications, Inc.: http://www.nuance.com/for-individuals/by-product/dragon-for-pc/home-version/index.htm
10) Full information on the Co:Writer 6 and access to information on other products from Don Johnston, Inc.: http://www.donjohnston.com/products/cowriter/index.html
11) Full information on the WYNN Wizard and access to information on other products from Freedom Scientific, Inc: http://www.freedomscientific.com/lsg/products/wynn.asp