Understanding Writing & Handwriting Accommodations

Writing and handwriting accommodations help students who have difficulty with the physical act of writing, organizing their thoughts on paper, or both. These accommodations separate the skill being assessed from the mechanics of getting words on a page.

For students with fine motor challenges, accommodations may include typing instead of handwriting, using speech-to-text software, or providing a scribe. For students who struggle with written expression, accommodations might include graphic organizers, sentence starters, or extended time for writing assignments.

Many parents are surprised to learn that handwriting difficulties can affect performance across every subject. If your child struggles with writing, make sure the IEP team addresses accommodations for note-taking, written tests, and homework, not just dedicated writing assignments.