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Today we're thrilled to be joined by Kelli Fetter, an OT and founder of Handwriting Solutions. She has previously been a part of our Handwriting Focus Group. Our conversation focuses on the interconnectedness of reading and writing skills, the importance of fine motor development from early childhood, and practical tips for parents, especially those homeschooling. We'll also explore the misconceptions about handwriting development and the critical role it plays beyond basic literacy.

Join us as we discuss research, developmental milestones, and Kelli's hands-on strategies to help children thrive. Stick around—this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice you won't want to miss!

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Kelli's motivation: personal experience with her daughter diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in first grade
• Early red flags in kindergarten
• Importance of finding experts specializing in learning disabilities
• Created Handwriting Solutions
• Services expanded to reading and spelling due to overlapping student difficulties
• Complexity of Handwriting
• Handwriting involves multiple foundational abilities: fine motor control, core stability, visual skills, etc.
• Emphasis on building foundational skills and explicit handwriting instruction
• Fine Motor Control is one component of handwriting
• Kelli examines pencil use and hand movements to understand fine motor abilities
• Key observation points: pressure, smoothness
• Discussion on different grasp patterns impacting handwriting
• Interconnectedness of Reading and Writing
• Importance of reading for information and recognizing the value of writing
• Kelli highlights writing as a beneficial life skill beyond academics

Links and Resources From Today's Show

• Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
• Handwriting Focus Group from Homeschool OT
• Handwriting Expectations by Grade Levels from Handwriting Solutions
• Handwriting but not typewriting leads to widespread brain connectivity, research from Frontiers
• Brain research shows why handwriting should be taught in the computer-age
• Teacher training text for dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and oral and written language learning disability (OWL LD)
• Episode 5- Beyond 20/20 Vision: Understanding Crucial Aspects of Visual Assessment in Children
• Episode 21- Exploring Primitive Reflexes: From Birth to Integration
• Episode 22- Supporting Children Through Play-Based Reflex Integration
• Episode 23- Blending Sensory Integration and Fitness for Better Handwriting
• Episode 24- Understanding the Handwriting Journey: Tools and Techniques for Homeschoolers

Connect with our Guest, Kelli Fetter

Kelli Fetter is a Certified Handwriting Specialist and the founder of Handwriting Solutions, LLC providing handwriting tutoring virtually and in- person. She practiced as an occupational therapist in pediatric outpatient, early intervention, preschools, and private schools. She also served as adjunct professor teaching pediatrics and kinesiology. Kelli has extensive training in handwriting and dysgraphia. Kelli's passion is driven by her own daughter's dyslexia & dysgraphia journey.