Handwriting & Fine Motor Support
for Children & Youth in Nova Scotia
At Thrive Therapy, we provide specialized support for children and youth experiencing handwriting and fine motor difficulties in Halifax, Bedford, Sackville, Dartmouth, Antigonish, Truro, and across Nova Scotia.
Our Occupational Therapists work closely with families to help young individuals develop the necessary skills for academic success and daily activities.
Recognizing Handwriting & Fine Motor Challenges
Handwriting is one of the most complex skills children learn. It requires fine motor control, visual perception, praxis/motor planning and cognitive functions, and the integration of these functions.​
Children facing handwriting and fine motor difficulties may exhibit:T
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Illegible handwriting
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Slow writing speed
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Poor letter spacing and sizing
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Fatigue during writing tasks
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Avoidance of writing activities
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Difficulty with buttons, zippers, or snaps
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Pain while writing
These challenges can impact academic performance and self-esteem
Importance of Handwriting
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Our therapists employ evidence-based approaches to support handwriting and fine motor development, including:Thriveotns
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Comprehensive assessments using standardized tools
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Individualized treatment plans tailored to each child's needs
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1:1 and group therapy sessions
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Strategies to improve pencil grasp, letter formation, legibility, writing speed, and endurance
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Recommendations for school accommodations and activity modifications
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We collaborate with families, schools, and healthcare providers to ensure a holistic approach to skill development.
How Our Occupational Therapists Can Help
Handwriting Assessment:
For children specifically experiencing difficulty with hand-writing, an in depth assessment is recommended. This assessment includes a 60-minute handwriting assessment using standardized assessment tools with a short summary report and recommendations.
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Handwriting support is suitable for any child who needs help to improve:
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Pencil grasp
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Letter formation
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Letter and word sizing/spacing
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Legibility
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Writing speed
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Cursive writing
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Endurance
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Alternate access methods ​
Handwriting Groups:
Group sessions offer an affordable and highly effective therapy environment. Groups are a fun way to help motivate and boost social participation and writing confidence. Sessions are 1 hour for a length of 8 weeks. The cost is dependent on the group size.
A questionnaire needs to be completed prior to registration to determine suitability and matching children to the appropriate group.
Please contact us to learn more about or book our Occupational Therapy services!
Serving Communities Across Nova Scotia
We proudly serve families in:
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Halifax
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Bedford
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Sackville
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Dartmouth
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Antigonish
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Truro
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And communities across Nova Scotia
Our services are available in-clinic, at home, in schools, and through virtual sessions, ensuring accessibility for all families.