I need to figure out how to private message you to ask where you work because WOW. Please tell me you're in CA?First of all, any OT that pulls the whole 'oh, but he does it with us!' card is a tit OT. Especially if they don't allow their sessions to be taped.
Regarding writing, I am about to bombard you with questions - I apologize in advance, but OTs and our methods vary so wildly depending on region, school board, private therapist, etc. For his writing - are you using any grippers with the pencils? If no, or if just basic ones, try a CLAW or a Twist-n-Write (although this one might be a bid advanced for him yet). NuMuvs aren't bad either, but they are a little bit pricier and not as attractive to kids, I find. I like HandiWriters, too but tend to use them a little farther down the learning-to-write street.
Regarding cutting, what kind of scissors are being used? Just regular safety scissors or spring scissors or easi-grips? Easi-Grip makes a mini version of their scissors for kids and I LOVE them - I've had lots of success. Springs are good too, but aren't as user friendly in terms of safety (imo). For cutting material - what kind of paper is he cutting? Just regular, construction, bristol, newsprint, magazine? What are they getting him to cut? Does he follow lines, shapes, a pattern? Or do they just get him to cut randomly? I always prefer to use patterns (just simple lines, corners, circles, etc. in the beginning) because it gives an actual visual cue as to where to go next - saves some processing time.
In terms of holding the paper, I have used a lot of different things in the past - rubber finger tips, sticky tack, tongs (these come in lots of cool colors and shapes to try - you can often get kits with slightly different grips, etc.) All of this stuff can be found online from a variety of different stores - I just didn't know if I was allowed to link stuff.
So AFAIK no grippers were used he did palmar grasp or normal grasp he switches between which to me signals hand fatigue.His OT sucks but I cannot switch because she was brand new to his case and then covid happened. She doesn't even email me what to have ready for his teletherapy. So annoying.
For his writing - are you using any grippers with the pencils? No
If no, or if just basic ones, try a CLAW or a Twist-n-Write (although this one might be a bid advanced for him yet). NuMuvs aren't bad either, but they are a little bit pricier and not as attractive to kids, I find. I like HandiWriters, too but tend to use them a little farther down the learning-to-write street.- Girl I am on it.
Regarding cutting, what kind of scissors are being used? Regular safety scissors are used. He will cut correctly but after a while go to using two hands again I said hand fatigue and they said he seems to have normal strength. He is about to be 5. I'
m going to add easigrip to my shopping cart for him/
For cutting material - what kind of paper is he cutting?- so he did a lot of line cutting and squares on regular paper. At home I do a mix of regular printing paper where I print shapes or construction paper. We've even cut playdough at home because he likes to make spaghetti so I thought hey lets use them here
Ialways prefer to use patterns (just simple lines, corners, circles, etc. in the beginning) because it gives an actual visual cue as to where to go next - saves some processing time.- hedoes GREAT and lines but when it is a shape he sometimes doesn't turn ie the circle. Now with mommy OT his squares are getting there as are rectangles. Triangles are for some odd reason trickier for him? The diagonal lines. Circles forget it it isn't working and he is getting upset. I wonder if he has midline issues? I'm spouting tit though because sll of this is google degree since his OT isn't the best she seems taken aback by my questions and again can't even respond to emails what activities to do. We colored for 30 minutes on teletherapy once! He needs a lot of input crashes and jumps etc and she ignores his sensory system.
In terms of holding the paper, I have used a lot of different things in the past - rubber finger tips, sticky tack, tongs (these come in lots of cool colors and shapes to try - you can often get kits with slightly different grips, etc.) All of this stuff can be found online from a variety of different stores - I just didn't know if I was allowed to link stuff.--- this is genius his OT just said he hasn't figured it out and to keep prompting or helping him turn it but I feel he is capable of so much more if the expectations are there. Yes he has some real deficits but he's only 4.... let's not put a cap on what he can do(no IDD) and just shoot for challenging him until he can't? His self care is off the charts this kid dresses, undresses, zips his own including connecting, blows his own nose etc etc
You are a godsend!