in about the 4th grade my ot's recomended I start using a typewriter. Later
in my teens I wrote by hand but it was very hard very slow... so I'm glad i
learned to type. In the  last few  years the crazy way i hold my pen
became painful, so I got a signiture stamp.  I wrote my signiture and mail
boxes / ups sent it to a stamp maker who uses a laser to make stamps, and I
carry the stamp in my purse for when i have to sign visa, atm or cash a
check.  for banking, i go online, and I send checks via my bank that way.
much easier than tearing checks from a book and typing them out, or
worrying about where my stamps are, etc.   There are also printable chacks
you can use a computer program to write but then you still have to tear
them, sign them, and get into envelopes, etc..


~Tamar Mag Raine
[log in to unmask]
IM: tamarmag48
Oakland Mayor's Commission on People with disabilities


> [Original Message]
> From: Elizabeth Thiers <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 12/10/2004 12:09:03 PM
> Subject: Re: IEP goals
>
>  Thanks Kat for mentioning Occupational therapy (OT).  We really are more
> than handwriting specialists in the school system and if he has an IEP
this
> would be a good time to get you assistive technology team on board with
> recommendations.  Alphasmarts are great, portable, lightweight and very
> durable, can be hooked up to a regular printer.  Keep up with printing, it
> is still the fastest way to sign for a credit card, etc.  Utilize
technology
> for long tasks, printing for short tasks.
>
> Beth t the OT
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> Subject: Re: IEP goals
>
> use technology to go on and progress, but, spend a bit of time to learn to
> print just to get able to do it.
> never actually give up, but, keep things in properspective. technology
will
> make writing not totally important. '
>
> --- Dianne Adams <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > I'm a lurker, too.  But now I'd like your opinions on something.
> >
> > My 6 year old, Evan, has high tone and spasticity throughout his body,
> > but his right hand seems pretty good, at least in comparison to his
> > other extremities.
> >  He's been trying to learn to write for about 2.5 years.  He can write
> > his first name, not quite legibly, in letters about 3/4 inch high.  He
> > cannot write well enough to take spelling tests, arithmetic, or
> > compose stories (we handle these now by dictation, writing his oral
> > answers with a highlighter, and having him trace the letters and
> > numbers).
> >
> > Is it time to throw in the towel on the printing, and look into an
> > alphasmart or other technology?  Is being unable to jot down a phone
> > number or write a check a serious enough issue that it's worth
> > continuing to pursue?  He needs extra help with language and math,
> > already, and there are only so many directions you can go at once, in
> > a 6 hour school day.  We're having another IEP in January, and I'd be
> > interested in your opinions.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Dianne