Dysgraphia: Writing Within [Between] the Lines

Do you have students struggling to get their thoughts on paper and when they do their writing is almost illegible? This one day workshop will provide participants with an understanding of dysgraphia through engagement in interactive activities, group discussions, and practical application. Participants will learn the development of writing, how dysgraphia impacts a student’s social and emotional learning, and leave with a toolbox of support strategies and accommodations to use with the struggling learners/writers in your classroom.  

Audience: Elementary and Secondary teachers, Administrators, occupational therapists, Classroom Assistants, Paraprofessionals, and Literacy Coaches
Length: One Day Workshop
Presenter/s: Lisa Benjamin, OTR/L

Outcomes

• Deepen understanding of Dysgraphia
• Learn the latest research 
• Understand the development of fine motor and writing skills
• Understand the social and emotional impact of Dysgraphia
• Learn accommodations and classroom supports for students 

Topics/Schedule

• Dysgraphia overview and DSM classification
• Dysgraphia in the classroom
• Current research
• Development of fine and visual motor skills 
• Sensory-Motor and Dysgraphia
• Visual-Memory and Dysgraphia
• Classroom strategies and accommodations 
• Individual case study
• Explore additional resources (checklists and reference materials)

Presenter Lisa Benjamin

Lisa Benjamin is an occupational therapist at Chartwell School. She holds a Masters in occupational therapy from San Jose State University and a bachelors in Exercise Science from Fresno State and has a dual elementary education and mild/moderate special education credential. Lisa has worked at Chartwell for 5 years as the lead occupational therapist, and previously worked in a pediatric outpatient setting.

Prior to Chartwell, Lisa was a Resource Specialist and case manager for 5 years in a middle school in Sanger, CA. In addition to overseeing executive functioning at Chartwell, being an instructional coach, and providing individualized OT services to small groups of students (1st-12th grade), she provides instructional workshops to teachers and families that focus on sensory processing, classroom accommodations, executive functioning, social emotional learning, driver readiness, and fine and visual motor skills.