Anyone have a child who's finger joints hyperextend to the point of having trouble writing? My son has terrible writing because he has a hard time holding a pencil because of his finger joints which bed back at almost a 90 degree angle. He tries to grip the pencil but his fingers give so he grips harder and harder till he can't hold it anymore so he grabs it completely wrong.
His teachere has been no help with this and even said she does not think that handwriting is important anymore. I am not as concerned about handwritting as I am is lack of desire to write at all. He is so much better with writting on a computer than putting pencil to paper which he hates and I understand why.
What do you think my next step is? I am not going to go through his pediatrician. I can make appts without referals. Do I call an occupational therapist? Are there any unique tools I can buy for this (I have tried all the special pencils and grips I can get my hands on)? Any other suggestions?
Thanks (oh and he is 9)
Maybe get him some stress balls to squeeze to work the muscles in his joints?
I'm not sure what kind of doctor you would refer him to. I would ask his pediatrician, even if just to get an idea where to go.
There are a lot more skills than just writing he will need his hands and fingers for. Definitely needs to be addressed.
I had a calligraphy how to book years ago that showed me another way to hold a pencil/pen. Bend the index finger and middle finger. Let the pencil rest in the "V" area and use your thumb to hold the pen steady.
Hope this helps. I really think this maybe your answer.
I have dealt with this all my life. My whole family has hyper-mobility, and now my kids' pediatrician says they have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which includes the hyper-mobility component also.
Honestly, I use those really big pens that come with the huge grips, I think there is one called something like Dr. Pen or something in the pen aisle. This was a life saver for me in college. But, typing is easier by far.
I have seen the Ortho surgeon, and he said that unless it was causing a lot of problems and pain, then he wouldn't do any surgery because it can have the opposite effect and cause more issues. The best thing I have done for it it OT. They gave me different exercises, ultrasound, and some other stuff. If you don't have to go to the pediatrician, then I would call and get an eval with an OT. You could also do one with a PT, or you might find a place like where I take my son that has both in one office and they could do the eval together maybe.
I do feel for you little guy, but maybe a hand brace could help? Go to the professionals and get the help he needs since he will have this issue for his whole life. They do tend to tighten up a little bit in the late 30s...
Wow on that teacher that that said she could care less about handwriting! I guess this is our indication of where the kids of the future will be, right? Hmmmmmm?? Okay, so about the fingers...I would start with an orthopedic surgeon first because this is an issue about bone and joint placement and how those things function. That's the specialty that u should get the most out of and they will be ale to tell you what can or should be done. They can suggest PT or OT and how much and for what areas of the hand to maximize the result. They might also suggest nothing. It's hard to say but that's where I would start first. My youngest daughter is a volleyball player and also has the ability to hyperextend her thumbs. This causes problems all the time with her volleyball playing and each year she ends up in PT for these thumbs and her hands. They try to strengthen the muscles around the thumbs and into the whole hand to prevent injury and muscle tears. It's a never-ending story. She too, has trouble holding pens and pencils properly and gets so fatigued with writing when she has to for school. It has been better since all the PT started though. She also wears thumb spica's for support and we also have a wrist and hand support glove for her from Tommy Copper. Check that thing out....www.tommycopper.com. Looks weird but works like all hell on her thumb problems.
I would definitely look into occupational therapy for small muscle training. Not only would it help him with writing but with any other tasks that use our fingers. He could benefit now and as he gets older. :)
