Handwriting Assessment
A face to face service
Providing a detailed plan of action explaining what might be hindering handwriting development and how to move forward.
Attention parents: Give me 2 hours and I will take you from not knowing what to do, to one of knowing how to resolve your child's handwriting problems.
Has the school or a particular teacher mentioned to you that they cannot read your child’s work? You are probably left wondering why are they only saying this now? Especially if they are about to take their GCSE’s or other exams soon.
Are you REALLY scared that your child’s poor handwriting is going to muck up their exam grades? Exam papers are now marked all online. Meaning clear, legibility handwriting is crucial. You think they might need extra time to write and are not sure how to put this in place.
Your child is in secondary school and their writing is getting worse not better. In the past you and the school have tried loads of different handwriting support. Special pencils, writing grips, handwriting formation practice etc. none of it has helped. You are searching the Internet looking for plan B as you feel there is something ‘missing’. You want to know what it is.
Is your child being called “lazy” when this really is not the case? Handwriting isn’t easy for them. You know they are trying hard. They are definitely not lazy. But no one else seems to be listening. They are even starting to give up on themselves, all because writing is so tricky.
Are you looking for a someone who can give both you and your child’s school answers on how to help improve your child’s handwriting? The type of answers where you understand not only the what and the why but also how to help your child.
Then this handwriting assessment is the answer for your child. Contact me to find out more.
Hi, I'm Sheilagh
BUT why learn from me?
- I’m a children’s occupational therapist with a passion and a slight fascination about all things to do with handwriting.
- I want to make it easy for EVERYONE.
- I don’t believe handwriting should be boring or repetitive.
- I know that teaching one approach to the many is not right for everyone.
- Every child is different and so are my teaching methods.
- Over the last 20 years I’ve helped many, many children.
- I’ve written two books on handwriting. One is a best seller. (‘The Early Handwriting Toolkit’)
- Oh and I’ve never met any child who I have not been able to transform their writing.
Nominated for the TES Bev Evans Resource Author of the Year 2017, and featured in
A handwriting assessment is the best way to quickly identify and solve any handwriting concerns. It is the ‘creme de la creme’ of assessments because it involves a face to face assessment and nothing beats seeing handwriting in action.
Without it, it is possible to miss a change in pencil grip half way through writing, little finger wiggles because your childs hand is hurting, the big intake of breath and sighing to show how much effort is needed to write. It is also not fully possible to notice how someone is sitting and what they get distracted by when writing.
Due to this being a face to face assessment there are some geographical limitations. My Handwriting Assessment service is a regional service operating within a 60 minute drive from Chichester, West Sussex.
Read what others have said when they have been assessed by me
So, what is included?
Detailed & fun
A 45 minute to 1 1/4 hr assessment with your child giving them time to show all their handwriting abilities.
In their words
Child rating scale of handwriting, using the pictorial images or ‘Here’s how I write’ self-assessment. This will discover how your child feels about their writing.
Analysis
Hand function analysis confirming that your child has developed the four physical hand skills needed to write.
Handwriting
Assessment of handwriting components looking at pencil grip, letter formation, letter size, word spacing and handwriting speed.
Identify
A standardised visual perceptual test helping to identify that your child has the ability to visually recognise letters.
Check
Sitting position check meaning your child is not developing bad habits when writing which could later cause back or neck pain.
Instant
Instant parent feedback after the assessment giving you invaluable ideas of how to help your child.
Report
Summary or detailed report giving strategies and techniques to help your child improve their handwriting.
What type of assessment should I have?
There are two types of services, a standard or an enhanced assessment.
Both comprise of the same assessment looking at handwriting, fine motor, and visual perceptual skills. The reason why we look at fine motor skills is that these are needed before handwriting skills can develop. Visual perceptual skills are needed to stop letter reversals and handwriting speed.
The difference is in the length of the assessment and feedback, the type of written report and the follow up support. Do not worry about the length of the assessment time with your child. It is varied, enjoyable and many parents often comment about how surprised they were that their child felt as if they are playing games.
For older children, the assessment will include a handwriting speed test, called the DASH (Detailed Assessment of Speed Handwriting). The results of this can be used to support extra time allowance in schools known as access arrangements.
Standard
Handwriting Assessment- 7 S Factors handwriting analysis
- Hand skills analysis
- Beery VMI assessment - Visual motor integration only
- Child rating scale of handwriting
- Sitting position check
- 2 minute handwriting speed check (7 to 14 years)
- 45 minute assessment
- Instant parent feedback (15 mins)
- 4 page summary report
Enhanced
Handwriting Assessment- 7 S Factors handwriting analysis
- Hand skills analysis
- Beery VMI assessment - Visual motor integration, visual motor & visual perception (Full version)
- 'Here's how I write' assessment
- Sitting position and ergonomic handwriting check
- DASH Handwriting Speed assessment (9 to 25 years). Findings can be used to support extra time or to type in exams
- Visual Tracking analysis
- Attention and motor planning analysis
- up to 1 hour 15 minute assessment
- Instant parent feedback (30-45 mins)
- up to 10 page detailed report giving strategies and techniques
Travel information
A handwriting assessment can take place at your home or in your child’s school. The map below provides a visual representation of where this service travels to.
Please note that at the time of paying you will be asked to add ‘shipping costs’. This is where travel time is added. It equates to:
£10 per lesson – Under 10 miles from Chichester PO19 9LW (one-way). For example if you live in Chichester, Barnham, Tangmere, Bognor, Boxgrove, Witterings or in the surrounding villages you would select this option.
£15 per lesson – Between 11 -25 miles from Chichester PO19 9LW (one-way). For example if living in east of Chichester in Arundel, Littlehampton, Rustington or Worthing you would select this travel option. Alternatively if you are from the west of Chichester in Havant, Emsworth, Hayling Island or Portsmouth you would select this travel option. Or living in the north of Chichester in Storrington, Midhurst, Petersfield or Billingshurst you would select this travel option.
For people who live over 25 miles from Chichester, please do contact me to obtain a bespoke travel cost.
Frequently asked questions:
This is about depth and detail of both the assessment and report. If you are wanting to use my report to give to your child’s school then I suggest going for the enhanced service. This will give the teachers all the information they need to use in an ILP (Individual Learning Plans).
This fluctuates but usually your child can be seen in less than 4 weeks. I offer handwriting assessments on Thursdays and some Saturdays.
Usually we will have spoken before hand and arranged a time. If not, at the time of paying you will receive an email from myself. In the email will be a link to my online diary. Using this link you can book the lessons.
Payment is made via Paypal prior to any appointment being made.
If you need me to raise an invoice because you do not have a Paypal account contact me here.
Payment is either in full or by a monthly payment option. You can decide which one you want at the time of paying.
I confess it is long, lasting up to 1 1/2 hrs. I do break it up with different types of activities. Your child is likely to feel tired at the end. Afterwards many kids say “it isn’t that bad and they had fun”.
Yes please. I find it is extremely helpful to have a parent there. This will help you understand the report better because you have seen how your child tried to complete every activity.
This is for you if:
This is not for you if:
- you have a child who has a handwriting difficulty.
- you live within 25 miles of Chichester, West Sussex.
- your child's school has recommended you get a handwriting assessment.
- you are wanting a report with recommendations to support them at school.
- you need evidence of a handwriting problem to award them extra time in exams.
- you are ready to seek extra help beyond asking your child's school.
- if you are looking for weekly or fortnightly handwriting tuition. (look at my 1 to 1 tuition service for this).
- your child finds it difficult to follow instructions. The assessment is long lasting about 1 1/4 hours.
What happens when you click to purchase?
- You’ll enter a secure checkout page where you will be asked to pay by Paypal. If you do not have a Paypal account let me know and I can invoice you.
- You will need to decide if you wish to book a standard or an enhanced assessment.
- Decide on whether you would like to pay in full or in 3 monthly instalments.
- As this is service has geographic restrictions. Travel costs will be added at the time of making a payment.
- Once payment has been made, you will instantly receive a confirmation and a welcome email.
- If we have not already spoken, then please use the online calendar to book your appointment. A link will be sent in your welcome email.
P.S. Not sure what to do?
I totally understand that and I am happy to help. If you would rather speak to me first before booking. You can can either ping me an email. Or you can call me on 01243 252310.
My one piece of advice to you would be please act. Do something to help improve your child’s handwriting. You found my website for a reason.
There are many different ways I can help you and your child.
By working together other parents have been able to get their child extra time in exams. They have also been able to help their child by not making them learn to write in the continuous cursive style. (The one with the lead in and lead out letter strokes).
Handwriting difficulties are not about your child being lazy. Your child needs someone to help identify what part of writing they find difficult. Once that has been discovered, it becomes easy peasy to make changes.
Are you ready to do something today? Book now.
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