Where to Start in HWOT?

[mellifera33]

nm

[OneStepAtATime]

What if you did run him through HWOT starting now and try to finish it by fall (without rushing when he isn't ready).  Keep it light.  Maybe incorporate a fun activity after each lesson, so there is more association with a positive instead of a negative?  Then in the fall maybe introduce cursive.  That way he and his brother are not using the same things at the same time.  I think that plan sounds quite workable.

[Lecka]

My older son did HWOT in school, it is just what our school uses. 

 

When he did OT the OT did an evaluation and suggeted a different program based on his profile of strengths and weaknesses. 

 

He had already done HWOT -- more HWOT was not going to help him the way he needed.

 

We are also waiting for a neuropsych eval for him, I have had the consult.  The psych told me that dysgraphia has overlap between OT and her.  We come to her, telling her what the OT has told me and what he has done with OT, and what progress he has made. 

 

So, a) maybe HWOT is what is recommended, maybe it is not.  It may depend.  B) maybe your neuropsych can recommend a program for you.... I think ours would tell people to go to an OT for that (though I am really not sure, it was the impression she gave..... she was saying things she leaves to an OT, and I was able to supply all of that information b/c it was things I have been told by OT). 

 

My son had a relative strength in motor memory plus some certain weaknesses, and the program his OT chose for him was called "Loops and Other Groups."  I have a great impression of it, but it is apparently only for some certain kids with a certain profile.  Then he did a lot of multi-sensory things (big arm movements etc).  Then he did a whole set of OT things addressing a foundational weakness that was part of his handwriting problem, but was not "a handwriting program." 

 

The "Loops and Other Groups" is a cursive program, it says for 2nd grade and up.  My son did not have amazing results with it and he can't read or write cursive now (except he can copy) but still it was worthwhile for him and it helped him a lot with his letter formations. 

 

I did really like his private OT and his school OT was good, too, and that is where we started ----- so I am biased that way.  But I think if you are going to invest time, and money, and there is a frustration level there, it is worth seeing an OT and seeing what program he/she recommends.  I think "Loops and Other Groups" would be possible to do as a parent ----- but I don't know how you choose, if there might be some certain recommended program. 

 

But yeah, I have been told by everyone, HWOT is recommended and it is really good.  But, it is not always the right choice for every student and every situation. 

 

But you might get a different answer from the neuropsych, too, about what he/she recommends. 

 

(Edit -- my son was in school OT for about two years, and in private OT for about a year.  He has been exited from OT -- more with all the progress he can reasonably make, than because he has great handwriting now --- for about a year.  We are just now getting the neuropsych eval because I am seeing it is needed, and before I have felt like things were still going okay, and also there have been family/logistical issues that are in a much better place now.) 

 

Edit again -- I asked the private OT a lot of questions about this.... she said she does use HWOT with some clients, for some clients it is the best choice.  She only uses "Loops and Other Groups" with a few kids here and there, but when she thinks it is the right choice she is very satisfied with it for reaching certain goals.  She said she uses about 5 other specialized, OT-designed/OT-used handwriting programs, and for some kids she uses parts of a few programs.  But she said it depends on the profile, because some kids will have a certain strength, and need a program that is designed to take advantage of that strength.  But she said she cannot know without doing the eval she does when kids start, and sometimes seeing how some things go in therapy.  There is not just one program that is "the best."  But, HWOT is definitely really good, from everything I hear.  It is just not the only program, and there are times when it may not be the best choice.