Episode Summary: Ideas at Play – Ep. 11 "Handwriting & OT: Guiding Principles for Today and the Future (with AI)"
Release Date: April 30, 2025
In Episode 11 of Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast, hosts Dr. Michele Alaniz and Dr. Lacey Wright delve into a critical challenge faced by educators and therapists alike: handwriting difficulties in children, particularly those with dysgraphia. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of current best practices, recent research, and the promising integration of AI-powered tools in occupational therapy interventions.
Introduction to the Episode
The episode kicks off with Dr. Lacey Wright highlighting the prevalence of handwriting challenges in classrooms, noting that up to 10% of children struggle with dysgraphia. She emphasizes that a "one size fits all" approach is ineffective, setting the stage for a deep dive into effective handwriting instruction and the future role of AI in therapy.
[00:02] Dr. Lacey Wright: "A one size fits all approach is not effective and remediation can be really tough."
"Nailed It or Failed It" Segment
Failed It: Lacey's First Encounter with the M Fun Assessment
Dr. Wright shares a candid account of her initial attempt to implement the Miller Function and Participation Scales (M Fun) assessment in her pediatric class. Despite her enthusiasm, the session was marred by disorganization and a lack of rapport with a new child, resulting in a less-than-ideal experience.
[03:02] Dr. Lacey Wright: "And that's how we learned it."
[04:22] Dr. Alaniz: "Great first impression."
Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Wright acknowledges the lesson learned about the importance of managing assessment materials and practicing with familiar children before introducing new assessments.
Nailed It: Michelle's Insight from the LEGO Motivation Study
Dr. Michele Alaniz transitions to a lighter note by discussing a fascinating study from MIT about motivation, where participants were incentivized to build LEGO kits. The study revealed that participants who saw their creations being destroyed experienced a significant drop in motivation.
[05:27] Dr. Lacey Wright: "That means you are up for a nailed it this week."
Drawing parallels to therapy, Dr. Alaniz explains how she adapted this insight to make handwriting practice more rewarding for her clients by incorporating fun elements like throwing tied shoes into the gym, thereby maintaining motivation without discouragement.
[07:59] Dr. Lacey Wright: "He tied it and he threw it into the gym until they were all done, and then we got to go up and go play."
Research Review: Handwriting Instruction in the Digital Age
Overview of the Article
The hosts review the article "Teaching and Rehabilitation of Handwriting for Children in the Digital Age. Issues and Challenges" from the 2023 issue of the journal Children. Authored by researchers collaborating with the Learn and Go company on an AI platform named Caligo, this narrative review synthesizes insights from over 150 articles across diverse fields such as occupational therapy, education, psychology, and technology.
[08:55] Dr. Lacey Wright: "This article is a narrative review, and they looked at so many articles, they ended up citing over 150 articles."
Types of Literature Reviews
Dr. Alaniz elucidates the distinctions between various types of literature reviews—meta-analysis, systematic review, scoping review, and narrative review—highlighting the comprehensive and integrative nature of a narrative review.
[10:25] Dr. Michele Alaniz: "Why, yes, I can, Lacey. I love reviews..."
Six Guiding Principles for Handwriting Instruction
The crux of the article revolves around six guiding principles essential for effective handwriting instruction:
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Practice, Practice, Practice ([15:00])
- Emphasizing motor learning theory, repetitive practice is crucial for skill acquisition.
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Focus on the Task of Handwriting ([16:03])
- Directing efforts towards handwriting itself rather than isolated motor skills enhances legibility.
[16:03] Dr. Lacey Wright: "The researcher said that the amount of time spent in class on handwriting and handwriting activities has greatly reduced over the past 30 years."
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Explicit Instruction ([18:06])
- Handwriting must be intentionally and clearly taught, with specific guidance on letter formation.
[18:49] Dr. Lacey Wright: "Oh, it's like a fidelity measure for handwriting."
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Immediate Feedback ([20:08])
- Providing prompt feedback, whether from teachers, peers, or technology, reinforces correct techniques.
[20:39] Dr. Alaniz: "And the feedback can be from the teacher or the student can self reflect."
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Variability in Instruction ([22:24])
- Incorporating different writing styles and contexts prevents monotony and aids memorization.
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Motivating and Supportive Learning Environment ([23:28])
- Creating an engaging and encouraging atmosphere fosters better learning outcomes.
Bonus Principle: Collaboration ([26:25])
- Effective handwriting intervention requires cohesive efforts between therapists, teachers, and families to support the child holistically.
Future of Handwriting and AI Tools
The discussion transitions to the promising role of AI in enhancing handwriting instruction. Platforms like Caligo and Cymark leverage AI to provide immediate feedback, data-driven assessments, and personalized instruction, aligning seamlessly with the six guiding principles.
[28:02] Dr. Lacey Wright: "Students use styluses on an iPad and it takes all kind of data and gives a lot of feedback."
Dr. Alaniz draws comparisons to existing applications like Letter School, which already offers engaging, feedback-rich handwriting practice, suggesting that AI-infused tools can significantly alleviate the burden on teachers and therapists while maintaining high standards of instruction.
People, Places, and Products: "Weightless" by Marconi Union
In the People, Places, and Products segment, Dr. Michele Alaniz highlights the "Weightless" song by Marconi Union as an effective tool for self-care and anxiety reduction. She shares her personal routine of using this calming instrumental to transition from work to home, underscoring its therapeutic benefits.
[34:25] Dr. Michele Alaniz: "It's called Weightless and it's just this very calming instrumental song..."
Listener Question: Addressing Tactile Defensiveness in Feeding
The episode addresses a listener’s query from Sherry regarding strategies for children with tactile defensiveness during feeding therapy. The hosts advocate for a holistic approach, incorporating multiple sensory systems to create rich, engaging interventions.
[36:25] Dr. Michele Alaniz: "...encourage you to not just be so focused on the feeding."
Examples include integrating proprioceptive and vibratory stimuli into feeding activities and using game-based approaches to make therapy more enjoyable and effective.
Conclusion
Dr. Alaniz and Dr. Wright wrap up the episode by reiterating the six guiding principles for handwriting instruction and emphasizing the potential of AI tools to revolutionize occupational therapy practices. They encourage listeners to implement these strategies and share their experiences, fostering a community of informed and playful therapists dedicated to helping children thrive.
[39:59] Dr. Lacey Wright: "Remember to use the six guiding principles that were laid out and include the bonus one on collaborating with the teacher and the family."
Key Takeaways:
- Handwriting Challenges: Up to 10% of children face dysgraphia, necessitating tailored interventions.
- Effective Strategies: Emphasizing repetitive practice, explicit instruction, immediate feedback, variability, and a supportive environment.
- AI Integration: Tools like Caligo and Cymark offer innovative solutions to enhance handwriting therapy.
- Collaboration: Successful interventions require cohesive efforts among therapists, teachers, and families.
- Self-Care Resources: Incorporating calming techniques, such as the "Weightless" song, supports therapist well-being.
Quotes to Remember:
[00:02] "A one size fits all approach is not effective and remediation can be really tough." – Dr. Lacey Wright
[07:59] "He tied it and he threw it into the gym until they were all done, and then we got to go up and go play." – Dr. Lacey Wright
[13:21] "The authors are working with the Learn and Go company to co create a new AI platform called Caligo." – Dr. Michele Alaniz
For therapists striving to enhance their practice with evidence-based strategies and innovative tools, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice to support children’s handwriting development in today’s digital age.