Handwriting

<p>I am already in college, but this seemed like the most appropriate forum to use. </p>

<p>Since elementary school, my clumsy motor skills have been a major problem for me. The main area in which this manifests (aside from my complete inability to play sports) is my writing. I do not have a clinical disorder (as far as I know), but my handwriting has always been incredibly slow compared to my peers. This has hurt me on the SAT writing section as well as on writing exams throughout high school, and now in college. I am proficient in writing in academic terms, but my speed handicaps me from articulating everything I want to say within a time limit.</p>

<p>I have, up to now, seen this as just one of my weaker skills, but I am now coming to realize that my writing could really hurt me in my college career. Is there any sort of program I can use to improve my handwriting speed? Can any type of therapist be useful? I know that it is kind of late in the game to start being worried about such basic life skills, but I don't know how long I'll last in college without being able to write on par with my peers.</p>

<p>Thanks, CC!
(mods, feel free to move this to the proper forum if this isn't it)</p>

<p>Have you been evaluated to rule out a "clinical disorder"? Perhaps an occupational therapist could help you determine the cause of your problem and work with you to improve your handwriting. Also, although it may be totally unrelated to your difficulty, you may want to research "apraxia".</p>

<p>What courses require you to do so much writing by hand? Can you explain the problem to your professors and ask for permission to type instead?</p>

<p>So far, my only class that requires much writing is history, but I want to go for an econ minor beginning next year, and that would require more writing. I may try asking the professor, but I feel like that is out of line for college. I feel like it's sort of like asking for exemption from the math on a physics test because you're bad at math.</p>

<p>I haven't been evaluated to rule a disorder out, but I don't feel like giving it a name changes anything. I'll look into apraxia, though.</p>

<p>edit:
I'm thinking Dysgraphia</a> - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>

<p>The</a> slow handwriting of undergraduate students constrains overall performance in exam essays - Educational Psychology: An International Journal of Experimental Educational Psychology</p>

<p>You need to visit your college or university's disability services office and start a formal evaluation process. A "name" changes everything if it means that you are given tools to help you find ways to make your life better. Once you have a formal diagnosis for your slow writing , you will be able to draw on so many resources for college and for the rest of your professional life.</p>

<p>Remember, you aren't asking for an accommodation that will let you do better than every one else, you are asking for one that will allow you to do your own very best.</p>

<p>I don't think asking if you can type instead of write by hand is the same as asking for an exemption from math on a physics test. If you feel uncomfortable approaching your professor, maybe you can get advice first from your advisor. If this is really having such a major impact on whether you will "last in college" you need to do everything possible to have it taken care of.</p>

<p>It is very common for students to get accommodations that allow them to use a laptop instead of writing out their exams by hand. Get tested - it could also be a processing speed issue at the root of your difficulties.</p>

<p>"Processing speed" as in the speed of my actual thinking process? I really doubt that. My brain is continually way ahead of my hand when I'm writing. I am able to type up essays, papers, labs, etc. quickly. I believe it is exclusively a motor skill issue. Dysgraphia seems like a likely candidate because I do experience the pain while writing that the Wikipedia article discusses.</p>

<p>I highly doubt bessie meant the speed of your thinking process. She probably meant motor processing speed. I'm sure she is right about many students getting accomodations. If they permit you to use a laptop, you will probably soon see that you are not the only one.</p>

<p>Luckily, I only have one more test for that history class this semester in December. I will ask my professor if I can type rather than write. Luckily, since I'm an engineer, that's the extent of my writing work for the year. Over the summer, I'll try to seek an evaluation so that I have the proper documentation to get accommodations for next year's more writing-intensive curriculum.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot for all your help, guys!</p>

<p>Well, my parents just let me know that I was already diagnosed in 2nd grade with dysgraphia. I had actually completely forgotten that I was allowed to use a laptop in class that year. </p>

<p>I will still stick to the plan in my last post. I just though that was interesting.</p>

<p>Good luck d4! You will make the accommodations you need happen and sound like you can deal with the challenges related to your dysgraphia. The day is coming when handwriting will be obsolete and we will all use some type of keyboard for everything.</p>

<p>I second that! Also, I want to thank d4 for sharing his problem with the CC community. We're rooting for you!</p>