1.  For most children, writing is a skill that develops naturally and without much effort.  For others writing is a confusing, laborious, and overwhelming process.  Dr. Mel Levine, author of All Kinds Of Minds (1997) lists several factors that can cause difficulties with writing:  Attention  Sequential Ordering  Language  Fine Motor Skill

2. Attention Characteristics Difficulty getting started Fatigue during writing Poorly organized writing Easily distracted while writing Inconsistent legibility Uneven tempo while writingInterventions Help student plan for task Organize supplies and workspace Offer beginning words or sentence Schedule work breaks

3. Sequential Ordering Characteristics Poor letter formation Transposed letters and spelling Poor narrative sequence Lack of transitions Interventions Practice sequencing using pictures, words, and then paragraphs

4. Language Characteristics Poor vocabulary Awkward phrasing Difficulty with sentence structure and word order Trouble reading back what is written Difficulty with word sounds, spelling, and meaningInterventions Encourage student to read work aloud as he writes Practice sequencing of ideas Generate list of possible words before writing

5. Fine Motor Skill Characteristics Writes only very short passages, writes slowly and with great effort Awkward pencil grip Difficulty forming lettersIntervention Use pencil grips or larger pencil Encourage print over cursive Practice tracing letters Use technology as support