Handwriting ideas for teenagers or young adults

[Specifically for teens who can write, but are working to improve legibility]

-Try different types of pens (thicker tips will write more smoothly, thinner tips will write more neatly)

-Try thicker barreled or cushioned pen

-Use lined paper

-Do hand “warm up” exercises

-Do fine motor exercises (manipulate theraputty, crinkle sheet of paper into ball with one hand, hand exerciser, roll tennis ball up and down leg one-handed, rotate pencil in fingers)

-Practice writing all the words on the “Dolch List”

-Practice functional writing (addresses, grocery lists, recipes, card/thank you notes, phone numbers, birthdays)

-Practice taking breaks when your hand gets tired, instead of allowing writing to get sloppier