For both school-based and private occupational therapy (OT) pediatric practice, the majority of referrals involve handwriting, with up to 65% of the OT practitioners’ workload related to handwriting intervention in 1 survey. Legacy interventions that include remediation of sensorimotor components for improved handwriting outcomes persist and are based on outdated evidence from the 1990s and early 2000s (Piller & Torrez, 2019). Occupation-based interventions, a top-down approach focused on improved handwriting outcomes, are supported in contemporary literature as the most effective interventions for handwriting outcomes (Grajo et al, 2020). These interventions employ principles of motor learning theory directly addressing handwriting in context (Cole, 2023; Salazar Rivera et al, 2024). AOTA (2020) requires the best available evidence be utilized in our clinical reasoning process, to ensure that the profession continually moves toward better and best practices. While there is a gap between when research is published and the eventual uptake of evidence into practice, the time is now, 2025, to move interventions for handwriting, the most often cited referral to pediatric OT practice, to represent current evidence.

Practitioners who attend will have experience with intervention aimed at sensorimotor remediation to improve handwriting and want to translate current research that asks OT practitioners to refine their clinical reasoning to embrace a top-down approach to support evidence-based handwriting interventions. This course will present contemporary evidence on effective handwriting interventions, have participants reflect on individual practice, share research-based advocacy solutions, and create a plan for change to be shared with teams, administrators, and parents. Let’s close the gap! The time is now. Closed Captioned in English.

BONUS: PRACTICAL TOOLKIT – Handwriting Program Survey; Advocacy Sheet – For a Handwriting Curriculum; Cheat Sheet: Interventions, Assessment, and Resources

Peggy Morris, OTD, OTR/L, BCP is an OT with 30+ years of peds experience in early intervention, private practice & out-patient, but most of her experience & passion is in school-based practice. She coordinates the post-professional MS and OTD programs & school-based certificate program at Tufts University. She is Board Certified in Pediatrics through the AOTA, and a regular SeekFreaks contributor.

Jan Hollenbeck, OTD, OTR, FAOTA is an OT and special education administrator with over 30 years of experience in public schools. As co-founder of the Partnership for Advancement of School Service-Providers (PASS), she is deeply committed to empowering related service providers through practical professional development and mentoring.

Disclosures: Peggy and Jan receive speaking fees from Apply EBP, LLC. They have no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

At the completion of the course, you are expected to:

1. 1. 1. Determine the key differences in effectiveness between a top-down and a bottom-up (sensorimotor) approach to handwriting interventions.
      2. Apply 2 evidence-based top-down handwriting interventions for a given case scenario involving a child with handwriting challenges.
      3. Identify 2 effective strategies in advocating with other OT practitioners, educators, and families the implementation of a top-down approach to handwriting interventions.

1.5 hours of lecture

• • • Evidence on Handwriting Interventions
    • Handwriting Intervention Choices
      • Top-down versus Bottom-up
    • Reflection and Advocacy: What Do We Do Now
      • Building Level
      • Student Level
    • Next Steps: Action Plan

Webinar Price: $65 for 1-year access to watch and re-watch

Payment Options

• • Pay via Credit Card or PayPal: You are registered instantly!
  • Pay via Purchase Order: Email vicki@applyebp.com

Cancellation Policy

There is no cancellation once webinar is purchased. You will have access to this course for 1 year. If the webinar becomes unavailable before the learner has had access, Apply EBP, LLC will refund the full amount to the learner. Please email or call us if you have any questions.

Accommodations Request

Please email or call us before registering for the course with any questions or requests for accommodations. We will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations.

Complaints Resolution

We welcome all feedback. Please email or call us if you have any complaints so that we may work with you towards a resolution.

Contact Info:

Carlo Vialu

carlo@applyebp.com

646-269-9039

You may also be interested in Assessing and Addressing Handwriting Challenges Bundle

Bundle Price: 4 Webinars for the Price of 3: $195

Bundle Description: In this bundle, you will learn from three experts in the area of handwriting challenges. Peggy, Patti and Lara will walk you through a variety of top-down approaches to addressing your pediatric client’s participation and performance in written expression activities. Watch each video at your own pace. Download Apply EBP’s practical toolkit. Take the Post-test, and receive your certificates of completion. Have a great time learning!

Learn more by clicking on the link below.