Handwriting Horizons:
Sensory Foundations for Fine Motor Mastery

  • Presenter: Michelle Denison-Darragh MS, OTR/L
  • Level: Introductory
  • Access: All parts of the course, including assignments, must be completed within a 2 month viewing window.
  • Contact Hours: 3.0 contact hours, 0.3 AOTA CEUs
  • AOTA Areas: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge.
  • Audience: OTPs, Educators, Parents
  • Completion Requirements: To earn contact hours or AOTA CEUs for this course participants must:
    • View this course in its entirety
    • Submit at least one sample session based on the information presented.
    • successfully complete the accompanying course quiz
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Course overview

This focused course will enhance participants understanding of the importance of sensory processing in the development of fine motor skills and provide vital knowledge and skills to enhance their practice in the field. This presentation covers the following essential topics: 

  • Sensory processing foundations for handwriting
  • Anatomy of the hand in relation to function
  • Fine motor skill development
  • The complex interplay between sensory processing, fine motor coordination, visual perceptual acuity, and cognitive functions that underlie proficient handwriting.

    Participants will implement skills learned by designing and submitting sample sessions, feedback will be provided by the presenter and/or the SPIRAL Foundation Education Coordinator. This course utilizes a PowerPoint presentation, and video. Slides and references are available for download.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course the participant will be able to:

Define the foundational principles of sensory processing that underlie hand skills and handwriting

Identify the essential motor foundation skills required for proficient writing

Describe the intricate anatomy of the hand and its direct relation to hand function

State occupation-based intervention strategies designed to target underlying sensory processing difficulties impacting handwriting performance

Agenda

  • Introduction and sensory processing foundations (40 minutes)
  • Anatomy and intervention strategies (60 minutes) Activity: Design your own sample sessions and receive feedback (45 minutes)
  • Discussion of additional sample sessions and questions and answers (35 minutes)
Michelle Denison-Darragh, MS, OTR/L



Disclosure: Michelle is compensated for this presentation.

Michelle is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist practicing in a public school in Massachusetts. She studied Occupational Therapy at Ithaca College where she graduated Summa cum Laude and was a member of the all discipline national honor society Phi Kappa Phi, as well as Pi Theta Epsilon (for occupational therapy students), and Alpha Eta (for allied health professions). Michelle is SIPT Certified and has completed additional training related to sensory integration, neurodiversity affirming approaches, cultural aspects in education, racism in healthcare, listening therapies, trauma-informed care, and sensory-enhanced yoga. She has a passion for working with children and their families to develop their sense of curiosity, confidence, and ability to follow their passions.

ADA/Section 504: If you require special accommodations, please contact courses@thespiralfoundation.org

Cancellation Policies: Available here

Continuing Education: Occupational Therapy Practitioners/ Occupational Therapy Assistants: SPIRAL Foundation is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by the American Occupational Therapy Association. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA

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