Janeway Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 My 5 yr old knows all his letters and actually has a good start on reading and phonics. He understands how to sound out words and then put them together and so on. He can read all the BOB books from the first box. But, his pencil grip is still an issue. Letter identification or forming is not an issue. I will continue what I have been doing, which includes writing on the easel and such, writing on things that are up and down instead of just flat in front of him. Does this issue look like it needs intervention from a professional? I hate to spend the money on that. But I am wondering if he has reached a point where he needed intervention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 If that's his pencil grip, then it does need intervention. Before going the professional route, you could try watching his every move when he writes for a few months and correcting his grip as necessary. In other words, don't ever let him write without having the correct grip. That said, there could be reasons his grip might be off besides habit and those reasons might require professional help to deal with. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 (edited) You could also do some testing for retained reflexes (google for them) and see what pops up. That's something you can work on at home while this coronamess settles down. Then, yeah, you're looking at an OT eval. Have you done anything with stub crayons, short pencils, tweezers, fine motor, etc.? Edited July 19, 2020 by PeterPan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 1 hour ago, EKS said: In other words, don't ever let him write without having the correct grip. I agree, there's zero benefit to him writing like that. He's not ready. Finger in sand would be better. You can make a little tray with salt and a baking dish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Have you tried teaching him a quadrupod grip? That is easier for some kids than the standard tripod, and completely functional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 This article has information about a variety of functional grasps: https://www.griffinot.com/what-does-good-pencil-grasp-look-like/ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted July 19, 2020 Author Share Posted July 19, 2020 We have been using crayon stubs, chalk stubs, paint brushes, easels, writing on things posted on the wall. Also, playing with a variety of mediums to improve hand strength. I was worried about forcing the grip, but I think I will. As in, stopping him from writing or coloring when he holds it wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 12 minutes ago, Janeway said: We have been using crayon stubs, chalk stubs, paint brushes, easels, writing on things posted on the wall. Also, playing with a variety of mediums to improve hand strength. I was worried about forcing the grip, but I think I will. As in, stopping him from writing or coloring when he holds it wrong. That might have the effect of discouraging him from writing or coloring. Could you maybe offer him an incentive for using a functional grasp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 (edited) https://www.amazon.com/s?k=grasp+crayons&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 palm grasp crayons Also consider peg stackers, tweezers, anything where he's using his thumb and fingers together. Did you google retained reflexes? He doubtless has some. Apparently Palmar is one of the ones for grasp, and it's super easy to treat. We did that one. Edited July 19, 2020 by PeterPan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 4 hours ago, PeterPan said: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=grasp+crayons&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 palm grasp crayons Also consider peg stackers, tweezers, anything where he's using his thumb and fingers together. Did you google retained reflexes? He doubtless has some. Apparently Palmar is one of the ones for grasp, and it's super easy to treat. We did that one. I googled it and did find a video of exercises. Would this be good? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGAZ7K9pS3U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted July 20, 2020 Author Share Posted July 20, 2020 5 hours ago, CuriousMomof3 said: How does he hold a crayon stub? Can you post a picture? I wouldn't have full sized pencils, or crayons available to him. So, there wouldn't be anything to stop, so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 33 minutes ago, Janeway said: I googled it and did find a video of exercises. Would this be good? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGAZ7K9pS3U theyre a good start!! good find. at 6:20 in that is palmar which is VERY important. also google for lists to make sure youre checking all. if you can get an OT who does reflexes, would be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) His grip in the first post is like that of a beginner holding a chinese calligraphy brush e.g. ETA: I had a similar hand grip in 1st grade for my less dominant right hand. I am left hander forced to use the right hand for writing by dad. Edited July 21, 2020 by Arcadia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 12 hours ago, Arcadia said: His grip in the first post is like that of a beginner holding a chinese calligraphy brush e.g. ETA: I had a similar hand grip in 1st grade for my less dominant right hand. I am left hander forced to use the right hand for writing by dad. Since there is no one at all in our family that is left handed, I have been wondering if it is possible that he is right handed and just trying to use his left hand for some reason. I made an appointment with the pediatrician to get an opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 I don't think it has anything to do with being left handed. His grip is not a typical left handed grip. I would not push either hand right now since the grip is so immature. I would always give him the pencils or crayons in the middle so he can choose which hand to use without being influenced one way or the other, and then let him choose which hand he uses without comment. He may continue to switch hands for a while and that's ok. 5 is still very young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, Janeway said: Since there is no one at all in our family that is left handed, I have been wondering if it is possible that he is right handed and just trying to use his left hand for some reason. I made an appointment with the pediatrician to get an opinion. DS14 didn’t decide to be a right hander until he was 8. He was alternating hands for writing. DS15 only switch to writing with his left hand when his right hand is tired. I have two cousins that are left handed but only one nephew that is left handed. However a left hander would still grip a writing instrument correctly. My guess is your son’s motor skills for controlling a pencil is not there yet. My kids did that grip for chinese when they were three but switched to the correct grip as they felt more confident holding a pencil and writing. 5 hours ago, Paige said: I don't think it has anything to do with being left handed. His grip is not a typical left handed grip. He may continue to switch hands for a while and that's ok. 5 is still very young. I agree. Edited July 21, 2020 by Arcadia Typing error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Could he be choosing to his left hand due to a visual problem? Some people with convergence issues that never get worked on end up using both right and left, depending on the activity. My mom writes with her R and does close tasks with her right. She does anything sporty (batting for baseball, golfing, etc.) left-handed. I think she also tends to use the "wrong" eye when she aims things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Mixed dominance is ok per our VT place. Only indeterminate is a problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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