Why I Work With Parents Instead of Just Children
Many families look for occupational therapy for writing difficulties, expecting the therapist to work mainly with the child.
Because of this, people sometimes ask why I work with parents rather than only working directly with children.
It’s a fair question.
Why Isn’t My Child Holding Their Pencil “Right”?
Children cannot simply remember to hold a pencil correctly.
Grasp requires coordination, strength, stability, and motor control. These develop automatically through the body over time.
What Happens When You Stop Pushing Handwriting?
what happens when you stop pushing handwriting and start building the foundations underneath it?
Over the years, I’ve supported hundreds of families using what I call the No Writing Way™.
Instead of beginning with writing practice, we strengthen the sensory, motor, and regulatory skills that writing depends on.
And something interesting happens.
Improvements begin to show up in places that don’t look like handwriting at all.
Child Still Struggling With Writing Despite Practice?
If writing practice hasn’t helped, it doesn’t mean your child isn’t trying.
It may mean the system underneath needs support first.
When we shift the focus from the pencil to the foundations, writing often becomes more manageable …..and confidence begins to rebuild.
What 25 Years as an OT Has Taught Me About Helping Kids
Back then, I didn’t even own a cell phone. I relied on a complicated map book to get around (Google Maps truly changed my life!). Social media wasn’t a thing. And the idea of working with families entirely online would have sounded impossible.
“My Child Can’t Even Sit Still!”
I often think our society expects people to sit too much. In reality, it’s much better for us to be moving—getting up and down from the floor, staying active. Movement keeps circulation flowing, muscles strong, and our bodies from getting stuck.
Ever Wanted an OT’s Eyes on Your Child?
You don’t need to wait for months, or feel like you have to figure it out on your own. Sometimes just a few small tweaks, tailored to your child, can make all the difference.
When Writing Hurts: Understanding What Your Child’s Body Is Telling You
Sadly, many adults don’t even believe kids when they say their hands hurt. They assume children are making excuses or trying to avoid work.
But here’s the truth: kids can — and often do — press so hard on their pencil that it genuinely causes pain.
All in a Year: From Pencil Refusal to Confident Writing
Every child’s writing journey looks different — and it doesn’t start with handwriting practice. It starts with supporting the body, the senses, and regulation so writing can feel possible.
More or Less Sensory Input?
But remember: sensory processing is not static. Children can fluctuate between needing more and less, and many have what we call mixed responsiveness.