Handwriting is a complex task. To write a sentence, a child needs to process information, recall important information, plan what he wants to write, initiate the writing task, perform the motor tasks to move the pencil to form letters, organize motor output on the page, manage paper/posture/pencil mechanics, realize errors, and be flexible enough to accept and correct mistakes. Executive functioning skills can impact legible handwriting and a few tactics can support this area of need.
All of these “parts” of handwriting might sound familiar to the parent, teacher, or therapist of a child with executive function defects. Executive function is our ability to “get things done”. It is a set of skills that allow us to organize information, plan, learn, multi-task, remember things, prioritize, pay attention, and act on information.
Handwriting for a child with executive functioning problems can be quite challenging. Handwriting requires visual perception, sensory processing, cognitive components, motoric output, awareness of mistakes, and the ability to correct them just to complete written work.
Now, image asking a child with executive function difficulties to write a 5 sentence writing prompt. After an 8 hour day of school. In the environment that the child feels most comfortable to exhibit behaviors (home with his loved ones)…it can be a messy scenario leading to a homework breakdown.
What is Executive Functioning?
One issue that may be causing a child to write well at school and produce completely illegible or totally sloppy written work at home is a deficit in executive functioning skills.
Kids who have trouble managing their executive functioning skills might have trouble with learning, organization, task completion, getting homework done, not losing their essential items, remembering to take their lunch box home each day, and so many other everyday tasks. Executive functioning is a set of mental skills that play a huge part in our daily tasks.
These essential mental tasks include:
- attention
- focus
- problem solving
- impulse control
- emotional control
- organization
- task initiation
- prioritizing and planning
- self-awareness
- working memory
- flexibility in thinking
Executive Functioning Skills Checklist
Handwriting and Executive Function Skills
- Difficulty generating ideas
- Trouble articulating ideas
- Problems putting their ideas onto paper
- Difficulty forming the letters to produce written text
- Simple or minimized written output despite verbally responding to writing prompts
- Inappropriate pencil grasp
- Trouble initiating writing prompt
- Difficulty organizing work space
- Crumbled paper
- Tearing paper when writing or erasing
- Poor letter formation
- Difficulty with line and spatial awareness on the paper
- Slow writing speed
- Complaints of mechanics of writing (pencil needs sharpened, need better eraser, uncomfortable seat)
- Slow writing speed
- Written work does not answer the question or answers only part of the question despite verbally stating a full response.
- Repeats self in written work (in an open ended writing prompt type of task)
How to help kids improve executive functioning skills to improve handwriting and homework
- Break down writing tasks. Separate an assignment into smaller parts.
- Make a plan. Visual cues are key. Use a highlighter and numbers to create a “to-do” list.
- Make short one step tasks and determine how long each should last.
- Consistency. Complete written work and homework in a specific place.
- Organized work space. Try these tips for organized homework.
- Materials in place. Limit the options for pencils/erasers.
- Use a timer to work on small steps at a time.
- Provide guidelines for written work.
- Mark off each task as it is completed.
- Behavioral chart for homework completion.
- Reward system with actionable rewards: Instead of a toy or sticker, a child can choose to earn earn time to stay up 15 minutes later on Friday, choose the family’s dessert for one day, or pick what to watch for family movie night.
- Dictation: Child dictates what he wants to write and parent/teacher/aide/another student completes the writing portion.
- Try typing vs. written work.
- Visual checklist for mechanics: Capitalization, punctuation, complete sentences, grammar, spelling, line awareness, spacing, letter formation.
How to Improve Handwriting and Executive Function
One way to support students is through executive function coaching as a way to address specific needs using a coaching model.
One way to work on the handwriting issues that we commonly see, along with the executive functioning struggles is to combine these. Using checklists, or by drawing mind maps, and using visual cues, the child with executive functioning difficulties to “see” the big picture of what they need to accomplish.
The Impulse Control Journal does just that. It is a printable journal that kids (and teens or adults) can use to figure out what’s going on with attention, organization, planning, prioritization, and other mental skills. It can help them with areas like habits so they are able to accomplish the everyday tasks like planning out a chore or an assignment.
The Impulse Control Journal breaks down executive functioning…but it does it in easy and fun ways and doesn’t make the process overly distracting or overwhelming. Just pull out or print off the pages you need and use them over and over again. The best thing I love about this journal is the fact that the user is totally involved in the process. It’s not just making plans for the child (or teen/individual), but they have a real say in their situation and the ways to work on certain areas.
They are truly involved in the process of working on executive functioning skills.
And, the journal offers a way to work on handwriting with short lists, check boxes, mind maps, and more. So, by addressing the executive functioning skills and handwriting together, the process provides a real opportunity for change.
