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Functional Skills
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Considerations, strategies and suggestions to try:
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Pencil grip
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Try tiny writing utensils-broken crayons, flip crayons, pencils sharpened down to about 2”. Try working on vertical surfaces like an easel or use a binder as a slant board.
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Printing
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Consider size, placement, lined paper, posture. Does the desk fit the child so their feet are flat on the floor?
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Written Production
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Consider technology such as using voice to text or keyboarding to address concerns of production rate and amount.
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Drawing
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Use a mirror when drawing a person, offer step by step visual guides.
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Scissor use
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Consider smaller scissors for smaller hands, spring-loaded scissors if trouble opening them back up; use stiffer paper/card stock for easier handling.
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Calm attention
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Have entire class do a breathing exercise or a few yoga moves; offer fidgets.
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Wakeful attention
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Consider alternative seating that allows some movement such as sitting on a yoga ball or allowing students to work at standing desks.
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Completing routines
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Try a visual schedule showing pictures for each step or activity in the list the child needs to complete.
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Shoes
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For getting shoes on correct feet, use sharpie dots.
For learning to tie: Use 2 different colored laces on each shoe.
Tying step by step guide: Shoe tying power point
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Transitioning between activities
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Post and review visual schedule of the day ahead of time and again as transition approaches; use of visual timers; routine song to accompany transition; use “First, Then”; use of preferred tasks.
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Sensory Room
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Consideration of preferred sensory tasks for regulation, safety, predictable routine and intentional breathing.
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