Weighted Pencils:
Some students require a weighted pencil to provide extra proprioceptive input in the fingers and hand to help provide extra feedback, which may improve handwriting legibility. In addition, a weighted pencil can be used as a pointer for typing for those individuals who have difficulty isolating their finger.
Materials Needed
- Hex nuts
- Electrical tape/colorful duct tape or elastic bands
- Pencils
Wrap metal end of pencil with several layers of tape.
Put several hex nuts onto pencil.
Wrap other end of pencil (under hex nuts) with tape.
Use elastic bands instead of tape for an alternate to the tape. This will allow you the ability to move the position of the hex nuts if necessary.
Wiffleball Holder:
Using a Wiffleball as an alternative for a pencil/crayon can be helpful for those children who have increased muscle tone or decreased fine motor skills. A variety of writing instruments can be used like crayons (large and small), pencils, pens and markers.
Materials Needed
- Wiffleball
- Crayon/pencil/marker
- Elastic bands (optional)
Slide pencil or writing instrument through the hole of the wiffleball.
Elastic bands can be can be used on the ends of the writing instrument to prevent the pencil from falling out of the hole.
Pool Noodle Grip:
Pieces of the foam from pool noodles can be cut to build up writing utensils, paintbrushes, markers and crayons.
Materials Needed
- Pool noodle (cut into 2inch pieces)
- Dycem or shelf liner
- Writing tool
Wrap the Dycem or shelf liner around the writing tool to prevent the tool from slipping once in the foam.
Place the wrapped marker through the hole of the pool noodle.
Have fun creating many different adapted tools for all your clients.
Ideas and adaptations from Adaptive Repurposed Tools ART kits developed by Judith Schoonover, M.Ed., OTR/L, ATP and Deborah Schwind, M.Ed., OTR/L.