Re: Need advice..... Hand involvement in my daughter

[Guest guest]

I have written in my childrens 504 and IEP plans that they are to avoid hand

fatigue. Shorter assignments, verbal assignments and the use of a keyboard has

been our answer.

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I have been going through a similar situation with my son, Sully, in

4th grade. He started complaining of his hands tiring, and of tremors

in 2nd grade. In grades 2 and 3, I just privately let his teachers know why I

was concerned, and I let them know I would transcribe his homework for him by

writing or typing, when he complained that his hands were fatigued.

This year his teacher wanted to go ahead and have a legal plan in place (504

plan) so they can limit " busy work " and writing, allow keyboarding, allow him to

dictate assignments in class or HW as

needed, allows him to have a set of textbooks at home to reduce fatigue from

carrying, to use the elevator when he feels he needs to, and to allow modified

PE as needed.

The teacher felt this was best because there will be a meeting at the beginning

of each year (and whenever else needed) to get together and come up with a plan

that will keep him from getting fatigued. I am most concerned with educational

burnout with him because he is so concerned with doing things exactly the way he

was told by the teacher. . . so this plan has helped him very much. And

he rarely asks for help, but he lets us know if he needs it.

I remember that I became completely burned out when I got to High School, and I

am sure it was because of the CMT that I did not know I had. I remember just

being exhausted when I was told to write these papers, and read all of these

books! I went from an straight A Honors student to a near dropout the very

first year.

I hope this will keep that from happening to Sully.

Mandy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I have and had hand involvement in school too. Although gripping the pen was

harder, I managed writing nicely. My handwriting is nice now too. It is a matter

of practise and also not to stop writing. I did not notice that my hands got

more tired than the other kids' hands. So my advice is: encourage your daughter

to write and draw a lot. Don't use aids, such as computer.

Beata